The Green and White Army head to Slovakia on Friday with everything on the line
Ciaron Brown insists the new Northern Ireland are fearless. The Green and White Army head to Slovakia on Friday with everything on the line. Win, or even a draw, and their World Cup hopes are thriving.
Lose, and they still have a chance via the play-offs courtesy of their Nations League form. But a direct route is always better than a circuitous one.
In any case Brown insists the squad oozes fearlessness. When asked where it comes from, 27-year-old Brown is blunt: “We have a good mixture in the squad.
“We have quite a number of young ones coming through who don’t fear much, and a couple of older ones who can help them during games, who can show them things.
“We have different players who are at different parts of their careers.
“All over we have kind of been with each other for the last couple of years and we all get along. Off the pitch we get along so well and that transfers onto the pitch where we have trust and belief in each other.”
It’s a squad built on trust. On experience. On youth unafraid to step up.
Smaller nations, Brown says, always carry extra fire. “Yeah, I can understand where you are coming from. It means a lot to everyone involved.
“Do we want it more than others? I can only say yes from our part, but I guess the other teams might disagree.”
And the effort? Relentless. Even when asked if they run harder than other teams, Brown smiles. “It does look that way, but who knows.”
Even when Northern Ireland have faced bigger nations, such as Germany and Slovakia, they have not been overwhelmed.
He says: “I would have to agree, 100 per cent. Everybody looks at this as a big opportunity and yes it is a big part of everyone’s career.
“I also do think that why we are here training etc, we are just focused on Friday and getting the answers we want, and getting the job done.
“We’ve got something special here. It’s exciting because we know we’re just getting started.”
And he may not get a start on Friday because of the returning Conor Bradley.
Still he is pleased to see the Liverpool right-back return.
Brown said: “Everyone knows that he’s a key player for us and we do need him as the talent he’s got is obviously top.
“He’s got unbelievable attributes and everyone can see it when he’s on the pitch he adds something different for us.
“He was a big miss for us against Germany and we’re all probably happy and glad that he’s back for selection for this game.”
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