Ian Wright has hit out at Northern Ireland women’s boss Kenny Shiels, after he claimed that women are “more emotional” than men. 

Shiels’ remarks came after his side lost 5-0 to England in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night and have drawn heavy criticism from a number of people online. 

What did Shiels say? 

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Shiels said: "I felt [England] were struggling a wee bit at times to open us up until the psychology of going 2-0 up in the women's game. 

"I'm sure you will have noticed if you go through the patterns - when a team concedes a goal, they concede a second one in a very, very short space of time.

"[It happens] right through the whole spectrum of the women's game, because girls and women are more emotional than men. So, they take a goal going in not very well.

“When we went 1-0 down we tried to slow it down to give them time to get that emotional imbalance out of their heads. That’s an issue we have. Not just in Northern Ireland but all of the countries in the world.”

Shiels has now apologised for his comments. In a statement, he said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence they have caused. 

“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 

“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.” 

Wright reacts on Twitter

Wright, who has long been a vocal advocate for women’s football, took to Twitter to express his thoughts on Shiels’ comments. 

The former Arsenal and England star condemned the Northern Irish manager’s words and stressed that he was often emotional on the pitch during his playing days. 

“Kenny Shiels talking foolishness,” he said. “Talking about emotional women! Didn’t that man see how many times I was crying on the PITCH! Kmt [kiss my teeth].” 

Alex Scott, another former Arsenal star and fellow pundit, replied to Wright’s tweet with three clapping emojis and added an image of herself clapping as well. 

Others criticise Shiels’ comments

Wright and Scott are not the only prominent figures to criticise Shiels. 

Former England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain said Shiels had to take responsibility for his words and described his comments as “bizarre”. 

"I think we all know that the five minutes after you concede a goal - not just in women's football, [also] in men's football - you're more likely to concede a goal," she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"To just generalise that to women is a slightly bizarre comment.

"When you give post-match news conferences when you're feeling emotional after a big game, it's important to make sure that you are speaking sensibly and are aware of the message that your words can carry."

Similarly, Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison said Shiels’ words were “deeply unhelpful”.  

“I was shocked to hear those comments in this day and age,” she stressed. “I would question whether the comments were based on fact and not just opinion.” 

Harrison also said the comments detracted from a record-breaking night of football, where more than 15,000 fans turned up at Windsor Park.