Mick McDermott's coaching journey reads like a globe-trotting adventure. The Belfast native now serves as Ghana's assistant coach and performance coordinator under Carlos Queiroz, preparing for Tuesday's clash with England in Foxborough. After spells in Iran's 2018 World Cup setup and across multiple continents, McDermott finds himself back in Rhode Island where his football career began three decades ago.

Ghana's preparation has been far from ideal. Appointed in April, Queiroz and McDermott only assembled their full squad at month's end, with a single training session before the 1-1 friendly against Wales. Despite minimal preparation time, the Black Stars opened Group L with a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Caleb Yirenkyi to defeat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.

McDermott praised the squad's chemistry, describing their pre-match prayer and song tradition that carried from the pitch to the team bus and hotel for over an hour. He highlighted Antoine Semenyo as a key weapon, calling the Manchester City winger "probably as explosive a player I've seen" with pace to hurt any full-back. The assistant coach believes Ghana can spring an upset against the Three Lions.

With England fresh off a 4-2 victory over Croatia, Tuesday's match presents a stern test. However, McDermott insists the pressure sits lightly on Ghana's shoulders after their opening win. The former Glentoran boss says his squad plays for big clubs and won't be overawed, adding that their belief and quality gives them a realistic chance of advancing from Group L.