FOOTBALL: Liam Boyce handed first competitive start for Northern Ireland against Azerbaijan
In-form striker Liam Boyce was handed his first competitive start by Michael O'Neill for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan in Baku.
Boyce, who scored 23 league goals for Ross County to finish as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer last season, opened his international account in the friendly over New Zealand last week and O’Neill kept him in his starting line-up along with fellow forward Josh Magennis.
Gareth McAuley overcame a thigh injury to start alongside Jonny Evans and 37-year-old Aaron Hughes in defence, while the Azeris handed a debut to Brazilian-born Qarabag playmaker Richard Almeida.