Magennis' sole goal to '˜give all I can for as long as I can'

Stars such as Carl Frampton, James Nesbitt and Gary Lightbody helped mark the official opening of the National Stadium at Windsor Park in front of a vocal 18,234 crowd.

And Magennis served up a special tribute to the famous faces on the pitch - and Green and White Army in the stands - for support on a night Northern Ireland secured a 4-0 victory over San Marino.

“It was mad just hearing the names and music before in the warm-up, it made the hairs stand up,” said Magennis, who started as target man in the Northern Ireland attack. “To be honest, seeing so many famous people up close was absolutely brilliant, even if I didn’t have time for the autograph book!

“Some people may say it was a distraction but for us it was an absolute motivation, the size of country that we are we need to support everything about Northern Ireland.

“It was fantastic to be able to do that on a night like tonight and it was fantastic to see everyone, put on a performance and come away with a win.

“The fans pay well-earned money to watch and expect to be entertained but it’s up to us to do everything in our power to do that and we managed to deliver four goals.”

Now Magennis will turn his focus to a test with Germany, the World Cup holders.

“It is going to be a turnaround and completely different gameplan compared to San Marino in how we play,” he said. “But we must take full advantage of every chance we can create.

“We are meticulous in how we prepare and when, unlike tonight, we may not have the highest possession percentage, we must make every bit count.”

Magennis, having started against San Marino then watched his replacement score two goals, placed team gains above individual goals.

“We are a well-drilled squad and leave no stone unturned but no matter who is playing or whatever formation we keep the same fundamentals in place,” he said. “As a striker you always want to score but, first and foremost, you cannot put your own personal goals in front of the team and it was important to get a win and clean sheet.

“You put yourself in the framework when, like Kyle, you come off the bench and score two goals, especially at home.

“But that’s the beauty of it, I’m not the manager, he gets to make the decisions.

“There are no easy games in international football, especially when you know you are going to dominate possession.

“To do my bit for 70-odd minutes was the most important thing, so the manager or your team-mates can never have any comebacks and to give all I can for as long as I can is how I play.

“The gameplan against San Marino was me trying to stay central, have Jamie Ward as a link and use the flanks.

“It showed the quality we have from out wide as balls in led to a penalty and goals.”