Boss Michael O’Neill has revealed 20-goal striker Liam Boyce understood his decision to omit him from Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad in favour of Will Grigg.
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The 24-year-old netted for the first time for his country in Friday night’s 3-0 win over Belarus, coming off the bench to lash in a half-volley late on as Michael O’Neill’s men delivered the ideal Belfast send-off ahead of Euro 2016.
Northern Ireland welcome the visit of Belarus as they prepare for Euro 2016. Will has just kept scoring, 28 goals in a team that has just been promoted to the Championship.
“It’s easy to support a team in the good times”, he said, “but you’ve been with us all the way”.
Wigan and Northern Ireland striker Will Grigg has been in fine goalscoring form this season, helping fire the Latics back to the Championship.
The following day, manager Michael O’Neill confirmed his final squad for Northern Ireland’s first major tournament in 30 years. He didn’t play a lot of first team football at Burnley in the first half of the season so went on loan to Oldham.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraphahead of Friday, McAuley said: “I’m actually really excited about the Belarus game”.
West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley is considering his worldwide future with Northern Ireland.
Former players Pat Jennings, Billy Hamilton and Peter McParland all shared their memories from Northern Ireland’s previous World Cup finals campaigns in 1958, 1982 and 1986 before O’Neill arrived on stage.
Having gone five matches without conceding a goal before their arrival at Windsor Park, the visitors presented Northern Ireland with a second after another unforced defensive error.
Veteran defender Aaron Hughes, who is one short of a century of caps, is also included.
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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.
