NI v Denmark(20/11/2023)

came to me and said that I was being called up for the Kazakhstan and Slovenia games. “Obviously I was delighted and I got my chance, 15 minutes against Slovenia and 45 minutes against Kazakhstan, and I’m just trying to implement what I can do and show Michael what I can do and give him a different option.” Following those two away fixtures in September he was called up again for last month’s home games against San Marino and Slovenia. He pointed out: “I got my first start and got a goal, so I can’t complain. I’m just playing with a smile on my face, enjoying the moments that come along and scoring against San Marino was one of those moments. “I scored a goal and got one ruled out by VAR which I know was quite tight. I don’t think anyone was a fan of VAR that day. It’s good to have for obvious decisions, of course, but decisions like that you just want to let play continue on. Smyth was named in the original squad for this month’s double header in Finland and the campaign finale against Denmark tonight. But a hamstring injury meant he returned to his club for treatment last week and missed the trip to Helsinki on Friday, however the door was left open for him to return if he got the all-clear ahead of the clash with the Danes. A frustrating qualification campaign draws to a close tonight and, although any hope of booking a place at the finals in Germany disappeared in the summer, Smyth hopes momentum can build ahead of the Nations League next autumn and the World Cup qualifiers, which don’t begin until March 2025. He pointed out: “Momentum is everything in football. If you can bring that into the game and the fans can bring their momentum of support it just pushes you on and gives you that extra edge to get a good result. “I don’t see why we can’t finish on a high. We’ve got a good team. We’ve got a lot of youth coming through and we’ve got a lot of experience as well to mix around the group. We’ve got a lot of good footballers so we’ll take it game by game.” “I wasted my backflip. VAR killed the momentum, killed the feeling. I got the celebration in anyway.”

PAUL SMYTH PLAYING WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE

The ex-Linfield winger had earned a move to Queens Park Rangers and his star was on the rise with Northern Ireland. But in the five years since then his career has had ups and downs with a move away from QPR to Leyton Orient via Accrington Stanley, Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers before he made a return to Loftus Road back in the summer. And it was no surprise when he was recalled by Michael O’Neill ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers in September. Since his return to the international fold the Belfast man has provided a spark - as well as his trademark backflip after scoring his second international goal at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park when San Marino were put to the sword. It’s been a long road back to wearing the green shirt once again, but Smyth has grabbed the opportunity with both hands during the second half of a difficult Group H campaign. He said: “The South Korea game does feel like a lifetime ago. I actually watched the goal back the night before the San Marino game and thought I might get another one. I had the ball in the net twice, but obviously one was disallowed. “It was great to get a goal and get an assist. My family and my little man Jack, who is 18 months old, were watching upstairs (in the stand) with my missus. It was a perfect day. I say watching, he was probably up and down the stairs running around going mad. “He came down to the side of the pitch, and I got to show him around the pitch. It was a good moment for me and my family.” Smyth was named EFL Player of the Year at the London Football Awards last season, but knew he had to bide his time to get back on to the international stage. He explained: “You’ve just got to be patient because things work in mysterious ways. I was just waiting for my chance. “I was playing well and doing as much as I could at club level just to knock on the door. Michael

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