Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Liverpool ace Furness praises the spirit and togetherness of squad and believes Shiels has instilled a winning mentality in the team
RACHEL Furness says Northern Ireland Women are ready for “one final push” as they look to keep their Euro dream alive.
Kenny Shiels’ squad earned a spirited 1-0 win over Belarus last month to boost their chances of a play-off spot.
They had to do it the hard way after goalkeeper Jackie Burns was sent off after just 27 minutes.
Furness scored the winner, rising highest to head home at the back post just before half-time as Northern Ireland held their nerve in Minsk to bag three precious points.
S hi el s’ si d e h av e tw o games remaining in the group, at home to Belarus on November 27 followed by another home clash against the Faroe Islands four days later.
Win both and they will be guaranteed of a play-off spot for next year’s finals.
“I think beating Belarus with 10 players shows the grit and determination of the group at the minute. We fight for each other, we want to play for each other,” Furness said.
“All credit to Kenny for the way he set us up, and even the game plan when we went down to 10 players. I was obviously very happy to get on the scoresheet, but I believe it could have been anyone that night. We would have got the three points.
“And to still have that belief after losing a player so early in the game just shows the confidence in the group at the minute and the belief.”
Fu r n e ss added: “There is a real bond in this squad. You just have to watch the confidence and freedom the squad are playing with in this campaign.
“We are getting asked to play and Kenny is demanding very high standards from us. It has shown a completely different side to this squad and we have shown a completely different side to our play. “We are doing what the manager wants of us, and it has brought us together as a g r o u p . An d when we step over that line we g iv e everything for the full match.” Furness will be hoping to carry her club form into this month’s Euro qualifiers.
The 32-year-old (pictured) was last week named as Liverpool’s Player of the Month for October, seeing her retain the award after also winning it in September.
“It is a great honour to pick up the award for the second month running. I am very grateful that I have a good team around me to help me get that,” she added.
“Personally, it is great to receive the award. But my focus is on the team and to get the results. So it was a good month.
“I have got a backroom staff and management team that are just filling me with confidence. I am really enjoying my football.
“It is important that you have a team that believes in you. My teammates believe in me and so do the coaching staff. That gives me confidence and I am enjoying my football.
“I think it is just loving playing football that is bringing out the best in me.”
We are doing what the manager wants of us, and it has brought us together as a group