Michael O’Neill says ‘they were told’ as Northern Ireland make winning start to World Cup qualifiers

Northern Ireland boss pleased with the second half reaction from his players in the 3-1 win over Luxembourg

Michael O’Neill praised his players for their reaction as an excellent second half performance kick started Northern Ireland’s World Cup hopes in the perfect fashion.

Jamie Reid’s seventh minute goal got the visitors off to the perfect start at the Stade de Luxembourg, but it was the hosts who kicked on after the as Aiman Dardari levelled matters on the half hour.

O’Neill admitted he let his players know things had to improve after the break, and improve they did as first international goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny sealed the 3-1 win.

“I thought we started the game very well, we were on the front foot and the penalty helped us obviously,” said O’Neill.

“We dropped a gear after the goal, let them into it and the goal was coming. We had to get into them at half-time as there were things we could have done better but we got the reaction we wanted.

“We pressed better and we played forward better in the second half. We are not a team that is good with slow possession, we are better playing forward earlier. I think because we scored early we thought ‘this is going to be easy for us’ but it was far from it and we had to reiterate that at half-time.”

“We were very analytical with them at half time, the back three played too wide which blocked up the passing lanes, they worked very hard to stop us on the right hand side of the pitch as well.

“They do need to be guided but they need to be told as well and they were told and the thing is they reacted well to being told.”

O’Neill was full of praise for Devenny, who impressed once again despite being utilised in the unfamiliar left wingback role.

“That’s been a problem position for us, with Justin coming in, that’s not his natural position, he’s left footed but he has the attributes to play there as he’s athletic and uses the ball well.

“At times it’s a little bit tricky for him defensively his distances and stuff but all round he’s a really good footballer, you see that in terms of not only the goal but some of the balls he delivers, and he also hits the bar like a great free kick.

“We’ve not had a left footed player in the squad like that probably since ‘Brunty’ so it’s nice that we’ve found Justin.”