Northern Ireland v Italy (15/11/2021)

WORDS: MARK McINTOSH THE SUN

LOOKING TO BUILD A FORTRESS AGAIN

“We should have put it to bed in both games. It’s a real disappointment but it’s something we have to learn from. “The gaffer is wanting to bring youth through which is really important for all of us in terms of the future. We don’t want to be stuck in a cycle where we’re good for five years and then not great for five or 10, so getting lads bedded in now is great for the future. “Friday was a good game for us, especially at home in front of our crowd. It’s a game that we were expected to go and win and we wanted to go out and put on a performance as well as get a result.” Friday night also saw Nottingham Forest teenager Dale Taylor make his senior international debut. The ex-Linfield striker caught the eye in training before being introduced as a second half substitute, and Washington already likes what he sees. “I’ve been really impressed,” he said. “He looks very accomplished, which is not something you often say about a 17-year-old. “You expect him to be a bit more raw than he is but he looks like a real talent. He’s a good size for a 17-year-old. He’s been exposed to the men’s game from a young age and that’s helped him. I think he’s got a really bright future. “From what I’ve seen he looks good off both feet and is very technical with good movement and good finishing. In the limited time I’ve seen him he looks quality. ”The biggest stand-out from him is he looks so sure of himself at this level with these players. At his age that’s a really big box to be ticked.” While many fans have been concerned about senior players potentially calling time on their international careers, Washington insists he will never walk away. “I will play until I’m not picked. I won’t retire as such but the legs will go and I might not be able to run the channels,” said the 29-year old. “It’s been absolutely brilliant for me and my career. I’ve enjoyed joining up with the team every time. It won’t be a case of when I finish, it will be more when I get finished.”

Fresh from Friday night’s victory over Lithuania, Ian Baraclough’s boys end their World Cup qualifying campaign by hosting Roberto Mancini’s superstars at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Washington has been involved - and instrumental - in many magic moments since making his international debut in 2016, but it’s been more than a decade since one of European football’s heavyweights were floored by Northern Ireland. With the Italians needing a victory to ensure they finish top of Group C and qualify automatically for the World Cup next summer, they will be overwhelming favourites tonight, but Washington is hopeful the failure to challenge for a place in Qatar will only add to the motivation ahead of the UEFA Nations League kicking off next summer. “We definitely wanted to get back to winning ways as a reward for the fans as much as anything, for coming out as they do and for creating such an atmosphere,” reflected the Charlton Athletic hitman after the 1-0 win over Lithuania. “We’ve been really disappointed with our home form to be honest. You want your home to be a fortress and it’s something we need to get back to because when I first joined it very much felt like that. “The intensity of the group is always the same. It’s probably why we’ve done so well in a lot of these games. We haven’t often slipped up against teams you’d expect us to beat. “It’s disappointing not to be fighting to the last breath but at the same time these games do mean a lot in the group and as individuals, too. If you don’t put in a good performance you don’t get in a team that’s getting good results, and then your chances of keeping your place are slim.” For the second game running Northern Ireland played the opposition off the pitch in the first half but couldn’t put the game to bed. Last month it cost them dear when Bulgaria hit back to win in Sofia, but the response against Lithuania was exactly what the players were determined to show. The frontman added: “We’re creating chances and other than a 20-minute spell against Bulgaria we were in total control of that game.

IRISHFA.COM

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