NI ‘got the reaction we wanted’ in win – O’Neill

As his players delivered Thursday’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Luxembourg, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said, “the reaction we wanted.”

Isaac Price’s penalty was saved, but Jamie Reid scored the opening goal, but Aiman Dardari equalized just before the half-hour mark.

Moments after Seid Korac’s dismissal for the hosts, Shea Charles restored Northern Ireland’s lead 25 seconds later.

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

The goal was approaching as we dropped a gear after the opener and let them in. We had to get into them at half-time because there were some things we could have done differently, but we ended up getting what we wanted.

O’Neill “had a little bit of a go” at the team, according to Conor Bradley, the team’s defender.

Even if their opponents had a helping hand, O’Neill was pleased that his players had survived the test.

After Slovakia beat Germany 2-0 in a shock victory, Northern Ireland lead the group, and O’Neill was praised for Devenny’s choice of left wingback instead of his more well-known midfield position.

The 21-year-old scored his first international goal after scoring the winning penalty in Crystal Palace’s Community Shield win over Liverpool in first-half injury time after hitting the crossbar in first-half injury time.

O’Neill responded, “That has been a problem position for us.”

Justin has the qualities to play that position, despite not being his natural choice. He excels both physically and technically.

He says, “At times, it’s difficult for him to defend against the distance, but overall, he’s a really good footballer, both with the goals and the possessions.