The NI squad she has returned to is markedly different to the one she was last included in a year and a half ago, given the influx of younger players.
That was necessitated by the retirements of Marissa Callaghan, Rachel Furness and Rachel Dugdale.
The only centurion in the current panel, McFadden knew her biggest selling point for getting back into the squad at this later stage of her career was the experience she has, and she hopes to pass on wisdom gained from over 20 years of playing to the younger generation.
“That is what I was saying when I was pleading my case to Tanya. I’ve always got that [experience], even if I’m not fit, I will always do the best for Northern Ireland and our group,” she added.
“I hope I’ve helped them this week, especially Abi Sweetlove. She’s at the start of her career, she’s unbelievable centre-half, she’s the future and hopefully I’ll be able to help her along because I have done it many a time and someone helped me along, so I want to help them.”
So, up next for McFadden and NI is building on a positive second-half display in Ballymena as they go to Reykjavik on Tuesday aiming to overturn the two-goal deficit.
The odds are against Oxtoby’s side given they failed to have a shot on target in the first leg, but McFadden still thinks they have an opportunity if they go there confident.
“We need a little bit more belief. We were able to get in their final third a bit more second half and with the belief, we have a chance.
“If we score early, they’re the big fish with the pressure on and hopefully we get a performance again.”
