Paddy McNair wants Northern Ireland to build on success

Tonight’s Nations League game in Romania signals the start of a new era under Ian Baraclough, and McNair feels they can build on what they achieved under O’Neill with next month’s Euro qualifier with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the horizon.

“This isn’t the end of our success story, definitely not,” said the Middlesbrough man.

“We’ve got Bosnia next month and we’ve got another great chance to qualify for a major tournament.

“Under Michael the squad was playing well and there’s no reason whey we can’t continue that or do even better under the new manager.

“It is exciting to think that we’re two games away from the Euros.

“I think the fact there are no fans at the games is a bit frustrating. Hopefully that will be resolved sooner or later.

“If we could qualify for the Euros, that would be great and by then the fans will be allowed back in.

“We’ve got a great chance. I think it’s good we have got two games before we go into the play-offs.

“We’ve got two games to get ourselves warmed up under the new manager. It’s all exciting.”

Northern Ireland lost all four of their games in the Nations League last time around, and McNair is hoping for a better showing this time round, even if he does admit he’s still trying to work out how it works!

“It is still a bit confusing and I think it is for everyone. But we go into every game wanting to win and there’s no better feeling than winning games for your country,” he said.

“If we could win this group, it would give us a chance to qualify in different ways. At the same time, I think it’s good the manager can try different things because it’s not the be all and end all to win the Nations League.

“Last time we didn’t do so well so as a group of players we will want to put that right.”

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