JOSH Carson has spoken of his pride after he was named Northern Ireland Under-19s captain for a three-game qualifying tournament for the age level’s European Championships.

The Ipswich Town midfielder, who has been capped at senior level, will lead his side out tomorrow against Germany before matches against Belarus on Saturday and Montenegro on Tuesday in Group 7 of the 2011/12 qualifying campaign.

Carson said: “Representing Northern Ireland is always great but to be captain gives you that extra buzz and I am very proud.”

And of the opening match against the Germans, Carson added: “It is a very tough start. Germany are always a very good side with very good players and their national team is unbelievable at the moment.”