Stephen Craigan (left) with NI manager Nigel Worthington

Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan will captain Northern Ireland on their two-match tour next week.

Craigan has been handed the armband because regular captain Aaron Hughes and vice-captain Maik Taylor will both miss the tour.

Northern Ireland will play Turkey in Connecticut in US on Wednesday before facing a trip to South America to face World Cup finalists Chile in Chillan.

Craigan, is set to win his 47th and 48th caps on the tour.

The 33-year-old centre-back recently signed a new one-year deal at Fir Park.

"Stephen is the most experienced player in the squad - he's an old campaigner," said Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington.

"So it is only right and proper he gets the armband. He has done really well for his club and is a great professional."

Worthington is pleased that defender Rory McArdle has secured a move to Aberdeen from Rochdale.

McArdle, 23, will join his new club on 1 July after sealing a two-year contract yesterday.

He could win his first cap on tour and Worthington added: "Rory will have a higher profile and a higher level of football at Aberdeen.

"That will benefit Rory as an individual. The higher up you play, the better it is for you and us."

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