I’ve done what I can – Ronan Hale eyes World Cup qualifying spot after Northern Ireland debut

The Ross County striker made his long-awaited debut in Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly win over Iceland following his switch from the Republic of Ireland.

He was within a whisker of marking the occasion with a goal as he struck the crossbar late in the first half, then rounded the goalkeeper in the second half but had to settle for a cross after taking the ball too wide to shoot himself.

“The first chance, I think I hit it too well,” Hale said. “Obviously if you trickle it in it might go under the keeper or whatever. Then the second one, I’ve just tried to take it around him and the touch isn’t there.

“I would be annoyed at myself if I wasn’t in for those chances. It’s one that I can build on and hopefully take into the group stage.”

Hale has been in both of Michael O’Neill’s squads this year but has had to remain patient waiting for his chance to impress. The major question mark remaining in O’Neill’s squad ahead of the qualifiers is who starts as the central striker.

“I’ve done what I can but then again it’s all down to club level as well,” the 26-year-old said. “I need to be performing every week.

“Obviously there’s a tough pool of strikers there that are all competing for that number in the squad. It’s an exciting one but it’s one we’re all looking forward to.”

Hale had a frustrating start to the match as Northern Ireland struggled to retain possession, but after Isaac Price’s 36th-minute goal the opportunities began to come before a red card for Brodie Spencer in the second half changed the game again.

O’Neill said he felt Hale had handled the situation well.

“I thought the first part of the game was tricky for him, but he grew into the game,” O’Neill said.

“Certainly he had some good passages of link-up, he had a nice little chance where he nicked one off the goalkeeper and he was a little bit unlucky. I thought he showed up well.

“It’s always difficult for the striker in the early part of the game if the team’s not playing particularly well. But I was pleased for him. I think he showed up well and he obviously has given himself a chance going forward.”

Thirteen months ago, Hale was at Windsor Park lifting the Irish Cup with Cliftonville before his move to Scotland. He scored 18 goals in 42 games for Ross County but it was not enough to save them from relegation, prompting links with a move again this summer.

“I’m just going to take it as it comes,” Hale said when asked about the summer break. “I’m a Ross County player and I’m contracted to them but things can change. It’s just about seeing what the future holds for me and the best decision to keep me playing at the highest level I can.”