Conor Washington: Whoever gets the nod will have to produce the goods

Washington, Josh Magennis and Kyle Lafferty have all been in goal scoring form ahead of Northern Ireland’s play-off clash at the Stadion Grbavica.

The Charlton man welcomed the competition for a starting berth as he feels it will bring the best out in all of them.

“Definitely, there’s real competition for places,” said Washington.

“Laff is back up and running in Italy and me and Josh have played four or five games and got some goals between us.

“The manager has got a tough decision but everyone trusts him in that decision in the way we want to play.

“Competition only breeds success and we need that to push each other on in training.

“Whoever gets tasked with the job has got to put in a performance.

“It’s about taking chances and being clinical in both boxes really.

“The goals they scored (Norway), we should have defended better but that’s the difference at this level where the margins are so small. It’s about being ruthless in both boxes.”

Washington is two games away from qualifying for a second major tournament. He was part of the squad for the 2016 Euros, calling it the proudest moment of his career.

“I’ve had a great few years, I can’t complain it’s been absolutely brilliant for me,” he said.

“I say to everyone that asks it is easily the proudest and most enjoyable moment of my career so far (EURO 2016).

“To be able to do it again with this group, and for the fans as well, and hopefully they’d be there as well, it would just be incredible to be honest.

“It’s indescribable how good a trip that was, and how enjoyable it was.

“It’s been a relatively meteoric rise since I started playing to be honest.

“I seemed to jump up a league every time I moved clubs.

“I’d like to think I’ve established myself at a decent level now, and at international level I’m near enough making the squad for every trip now.

“Even now I look back and think what an incredible journey it has been over the last eight years, which makes me feel older than what I am!

“There are so many standout moments, but getting the squad list and realising you were going to be going to the tournament and then ringing your family and telling them was such a great moment.

“Hopefully I get to experience that again.”

Tomorrow night’s clash has to be played to a finish, and Washington says he will have no qualms about stepping up to hit a penalty if it goes to a shoot-out.

“Yeah 100 per cent. As a striker you can’t turn down those moments,” he said.

“I’ve taken a few in my career and I’ve a fairly decent record.

“You can’t shy away from moments like that, they are moments you relish, you want to be the last taker and the one who wins it!”

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