Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
’RAELI IMPRESSIVE
Northern Ireland back on the goal trail... and debutant Whyte nets
THERE are dream debuts and there are Gavin Whyte debuts. Just when you thought Windsor Park had maxed out on fairytale moments, up stepped the Oxford United winger with a tantalising twist to the tale. Whyte, a late addition to Michael O’neill’s squad, had been on the pitch less than three minutes when he stole the headlines with a sweep of his right boot.
What an introduction to international football as the former Crusaders star fired home to complement first half goals from Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas.
O’neill hailed the explosive impact of the 22-year-old who was playing part-time football in the Irish League just five months ago before sealing a move to Oxford in July.
“Gavin has an eye for a goal and that’s a great quality to have,” he said. “He has opened his international account and it’s a big positive for us.
“Gavin’s talent was never in question. If you have a wide player who can score goals, it’s great for the team and he has that knack.
“He has come into this squad and he has made an impact on training and you saw the reaction of the players and the crowd when he scored.
“I have watched Gavin for a number of years and you always saw real talent. He’s had a really good start to his career with Oxford and scored goals there.”
It was always going to be tough producing the same drive and intensity evident in Saturday’s unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League. Not in an early season friendly against an Israeli team ranked 93rd in the world, missing key players and with just one win in their last nine outings.
It was a low key affair from the off in front of a largely passive home support – even if it seemed only a matter time before Northern Ireland would open the scoring.
The breakthrough came just 13 minutes in thanks to a cleverly worked corner and Davis’ first international goal in 12 months – his first at Windsor in two years.
Paddy Mcnair feigned to deliver a corner into a crowded six yard box but arrowed a pass to the edge of the area where Davis had peeled off.
The Southampton midfielder still had plenty to do but he showed remarkable technique to fizz an unstoppable first time shot past the bamboozled Guy Haimov. As the Kop
end net billowed like a Spinnaker sail on a Transatlantic yacht, Davis raced off to celebrate his 11th international goal.
Mcnair, who looked lively at right-back, had earlier forced a scrambled block from Haimov after a barnstorming run inside the area.
Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones also just failed to convert a Stuart Dallas inviting cross before Northern Ireland doubled their lead in the 41st minute.
Davis’ shot was blocked and when Jones teed up George Saville, the Middlesbrough midfielder whipped a cross to the back post for Dallas to volley home.
What a special moment for the former Crusaders forward who was celebrating his third international goal and his first in front of a Windsor Park crowd.
Northern Ireland pressed for a third at the start of the second half and had a penalty appeal turned away when Mcnair took a tumble inside the area.
At the other end, raiding full-back Eli Dasa threatened a response for Israel but his run and shot was deflected wide for a corner.
The impressive Saville screwed a shot over the bar after a clever flick from Davis, before Whyte stole the headlines with Northern Ireland’s third goal in the 67th minute.
Fellow substitute Conor Washington’s initial effort from Dallas’ low cross was parried by the keeper and the Oxford winger followed up to rifle home from seven yards out.
Dor Peretz watched a low shot roll past the post as the Israelis chased a late footnote and Washington also saw a goalbound shot blocked at the death.
Washington then volleyed straight at Haimov with time running out as Northern Ireland cruised to victory at Windsor.
The night, however, belonged to Whyte.