Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The Spain barrier is breakable
Northern Ireland U21 v Spain U21 7.45pm
RANGERS star Jordan Thompson knows Northern Ireland are in for a Real test against Spain tonight.
Ian Baraclough’s kids have been the surprise package of the European Championship qualifiers winning three and drawing one of their first five group games.
That run of form sees them just two points behind tournament favourites
Spain and they could top the table with a home win at Shamrock Park this evening.
But this is their biggest test so far, against a Spanish side with a host of young La Liga stars including three players – Jesus Vallejo, Dani Ceballos and Borja Mayoral – who have already played for Real Madrid’s first team.
Midfielder Thompson, currently on loan at Livingston from the Ibrox club, insists Northern
Ireland must not approach the match with fear.
He said: “They will have ability and aren’t playing for Spain under-21s for nothing but we have good players too and have to show that during the game.
“Spain will knock the ball about well and we have to be prepared for that and try and impose our style of play on them.
“We are sitting in a good spot in second and this game is the biggest in the campaign to date. It would be huge for us as a nation to qualify as we haven’t done it before.”
This is Northern Ireland’s biggest under-21 game in years, with Michael O’neill and senior players planning to be in Portadown cheering the youngsters on.
Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm, with free entry for spectators.