Northern Ireland Women captain Marissa Callaghan has issued a statement backing under-fire manager Kenny Shiels.Shiels was forced to apologise after claiming "women are more emotional than men" while discussing his team’s 5-0 defeat to England.The 64-year-old was heavily criticised for his comments, with Arsenal legend Ian Wright branding his words “foolish”."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,” Shiels said during the post-match press conference."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."Shiels then issued a statement saying he was "sorry for the offence" caused. But despite the backlash, the manager has been backed by his team.

“In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager,” Callaghan said in a statement.

“We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed.

“Since Kenny took over our national team 3 years ago, I have always complimented him publicly on how he can get the best out of his players individually and collectively. He is a man of integrity who cares for us like we are family.”

Shiels became the manager of Northern Ireland in 2019, helping the side qualify for Euro 2022 last April.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 11: Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels pictured as the Northern Ireland senior womens international football team hold an open training session ahead of their World Cup qualifier against England at Windsor Park on April 11, 2022 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

It was the first time Northern Ireland Women qualified for a major tournament, with Shiels hailing the sporting achievement as the “UK’s best ever”.

“Kenny has transformed the game here in Northern Ireland because he understands how to get the best out of his players,” Callaghan said. “We have qualified for a major tournament because he transformed our mindset.

“We look forward to the next few months as we continue to prepare for the Euros this summer.

“Selling out the National Stadium has been a pivotal moment for the game here in NI and we as players and staff will continue as a team to help grow the game and inspire the next generation of young players and fans.”