BARA RUES LATE BLOW

FROM BACK PAGE would take the latest setback “on the chin”, but added: “I’m really pleased with the way we went about it and applied ourselves.

“They looked really solid and didn’t give up too many chances. We could have been cleaner with the ball around the box but I’m really pleased with the way we went about it.

“We went with inexperience at the end and gave some people some game time and they will be so much better for it.

“Romania came here fresh, they didn’t play at the weekend and we had one or two tired legs at the end. That’s no criticism, it’s been a tough 10 days.”

Next up for Northern Ireland is the start of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in March with the draw in Zurich on December 7.

“We’re just over two weeks away from the World Cup qualifying draw and that will get the juices flowing,” said Baraclough (above).

“People will be excited about it. There’s still disappointment after going out of the Euros but we have to look forward. You can’t turn the clock back so we’ll really look forward to the World Cup campaign.”

On scoring his second international goal from a well worked Paddy Mcnair corner, Hearts striker Boyce said: “We had set-pieces set up and it was something we drew up at half-time.

“You couldn’t have written it any better. To be fair, it was an unreal ball from Mick and I just had to run in and touch it in. I am disappointed we didn’t get the result but it was a positive performance for most of the game and is something to build on.

“We made a lot of changes and also changed the formation in the latter stages and things become more scrappy. Romania did well, kept attacking and probing.

“Eventually they broke through and it was a good finish. It’s disappointing, but we will take this performance on to March and hopefully get a good start when the qualifiers begin.”