'We will go on the attack and try and win the game' O'Neill vows Northern Ireland will be focused from start

Evans a doubt for back-to-back opening Euro qualifiers

Michael O'Neill
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 19th Mar 2019

Michael O’Neill has promised Northern Ireland will attack from the start – in this week’s back-to-back Euro qualifiers.

He says they are fully focused on the task ahead – Estonia on Thursday and Belarus, Sunday.

While there is an injury worry over Corry Evans, O’Neill says that whatever team he puts out – they will have just one thing on their minds.

“We will go on attack and try and win the game,” he said.

“We will play with the same intensity that we have played at home in recent years – the same level of performance.

“I think we have a lot of pace in the team now the younger boys have brought a freshness to it but we are still reliant on those players who have been consistent for us over the years.”

Meanwhile, Evans (28) came off after 68 minutes of Rovers' 4-2 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and has undergone a scan on a hamstring problem at the club.

However, he will still join up with Michael O'Neill's squad ahead of matches at home to Estonia and Belarus.

“Corry will be in later today,'' O'Neill told media on Monday.

“`He had a scan this morning so we have a little bit of a doubt about Corry but we will see how the week progresses.''

No other issues have been reported by members of the squad arriving in Belfast ahead of the first game at Windsor Park.

NI