Northern Ireland v Austria

Words Darren Fullerton Daily Mirror

FLYING FULL-BA HAS A POSITIV OUTLOOK

Norwich City youngster Jamal Lewis believes Northern Ireland should take more than a flicker of optimism from the dying embers of a frustrating UEFA Nations League campaign.

“We are taking the Nations League seriously in terms of wanting to get points and unfortunately that hasn’t been the case so far. “But the recent games have also been a chance for the likes of me and Bailey to get used to international football so we’re ready for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.” He explained the younger players are getting to know what senior international football is all about right now. The full-back added: “I think this year is a good development year in terms of my own international career. Hopefully when March comes I will be fully acclimatised and can help the team moving forward and contribute to some wins. “I view it as a good opportunity for me to really put my stamp on international football and hopefully we can really crack on when the Euro qualifiers start.”

Michael O’Neill’s men may be without a point after three games heading into today’s final Group B3 fixture with Austria at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park but Lewis believes there are positives to be found in elements of the team’s recent displays in the competition, not least September’s unlucky 2-1 defeat to Bosnia in Belfast. The flying left-back is also confident the Nations League journey will leave O’Neill’s new-look side battle hardened and ready for the Euro 2020 qualifiers in March. Lewis, who made his senior international debut in the friendly win over South Korea in March, is one of several new faces in this season’s squad alongside the likes of Leeds United keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Oxford United winger Gavin Whyte and QPR’s Paul Smyth. “Michael’s idea was to bring some fresh faces into the squad and that’s always good, whether you’re at club or international level,” said Lewis.

38

www.irishfa.com