Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ITALY CAN WAIT SAYS IRISH NO.1
BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL has told Northern Ireland to blank all thoughts of the Azzurri ahead of Friday night’s showdown with Lithuania at Windsor Park.
There might be a louder buzz around Monday’s high-profile clash with Roberto Mancini’s star-studded European champions at Windsor Park.
But Lithuania is arguably a more important game with a positive result required to ensure Ian Baraclough’s men aren’t leapfrogged by the pool minnows at the foot of the table.
A first home win in 10 games, momentum and ranking points are also on the line heading into next year’s 2022 Nations League campaign and the Euro
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2024 qualifiers.
“The most importtarnatignaimnegis the next one and that’s Lithiuriasnhiap,l”aysearisd Peacockfarrell
are put (above).
through paces “Obviously Italy yisesttheerrdea,ybut it’ll be there on Monday and it isn’t going anywhere. The first hurdle is Lithuania and that’s what we’ve got to get over.
“Ranking points are also up for grabs. We’ve got to put on a performance at home and get the three points because it affects our rankings.
“We know we’re not going to the World Cup now, but there are other things to play for, including pride. We want to try and finish the campaign on a high.”
Peacock-farrell, who has benefited from playing regular football on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in League One this season, insists Lithuania can’t be taken lightly.
Valdas Ivanauskas’ men have lost 10 of their last 11 games, but a 3-1 win over Bulgaria last month stands as a warning that nothing can be taken for granted.
“You’d probably assume that I’ll have more to do against Italy than Lithuania, but you have to address these games the same,” said Peacock-farrell.
“You can’t under-estimate these teams. Yes, Lithuania aren’t Italy but they can still cause a threat. International football is of a high standard and we’ve got to be up to the task.
“We can’t just rock up and think we’re going to get three points easily and dominate the game. It’s going to be one that we’re going to have to work for.”