NI v Czech Republic

Whenever the lads in green begin a World Cup or European Championship campaign I make a wish that we will be in with a shout at the end. WINOR BUST GAMES HOWWE LOVE THEM!

Kyle Lafferty gets set to celebrate moments after his last gasp goal against Hungary in Belfast in September 2015.

What I am longing for is that my favourite team’s hope of qualifying will still be alive with just two or three games to go. If this happens it means that there will be win or bust games when both teams are desperate for the points and when success is within our grasp - if we only dig deep and go for it. Tonight’s game is definitely win or bust for both us and our Czech visitors. I relish the ‘cup final’ atmosphere of clashes like this.

Michael O’Neill’s first campaign in charge ended with Northern Ireland well off the pace in our World Cup group. But Michael used that series of matches to work on team spirit off the pitch and to devise an effective game plan on it. His second campaign was the one where it all came together right from the start with Kyle Lafferty grabbing a late winner against Hungary in Budapest.

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