Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland stars haven’t put a foot wrong on the pitch but have scored a awful own goal with their choice of team suit for Euro 2016 in France.
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GOALS from strikers Kyle Lafferty, Conor Washington and Will Grigg gave Northern Ireland a flawless Belfast send-off before Euro 2016 as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with a 3-0 victory over Belarus.
Grigg’s inclusion means disappointment for Liam Boyce, the Ross County forward, in addition to Michael Smith, Daniel Lafferty, Billy McKay and Ben Reeves.
The 36-year-old was among the stand-out performers in the first Northern Ireland team to qualify for a major tournament in 30 years and is hoping to make his mark during next month’s tournament in France.
“It was a hard choice between Will Grigg and Liam Boyce”, admitted O’Neill at the squad announcement in the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Meanwhile, Will just kept on scoring – 28 goals [in all competitions] for his team and helping them to promotion.
“I think Vanessa has played a massive part in this”, Lafferty said.
Lafferty was crowning a good week in which he also got married to help Northern Ireland to the flawless send off in their last home game before the Euros.
Grigg continued to enjoy a remarkable season in front of goal by grabbing his first global goal for Northern Ireland against Belarus with an empathic volley from close range. “Lee Hodson pushed his manager to go to Kilmarnock on loan, it was a courageous move, but I saw him play right back and left back so his versatility gave him the nod over Michael Smith and Daniel Lafferty”.
Nottingham Forest’s Jamie Ward is going to Euro 2016.
Veteran defender Aaron Hughes, who travelled from Australia for Northern Ireland’s qualifying games, has been included in the squad after winning his 99th cap on Friday.
‘There was a good atmosphere during the game, ‘ O’Neill said.
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“I felt fit and I felt good and I just want to keep myself right if called upon in the Euros”.
