I don’t care that we won’t be facing Republic – Baraclough

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Ian Baraclough says he doesn’t care one little bit that his team will face Slovakia in next month’s Euro 2020 play-off final at Windsor Park rather than the Republic of Ireland, declaring that all that matters to him is that his players are there.

While Northern Ireland were winning their first ever penalty shoot-out in Bosnia on Thursday night, the Republic were losing the same way in Slovakia, taking away the possibility of an intriguing all-Ireland clash in Belfast on November 12, with a place at next year’s finals at stake.

Stephen Kenny’s side drew 0-0 against Slovakia before losing 4-2 on penalties, with Northern Ireland triumphing 4-3 after spotkicks following a 1-1 draw as Niall McGinn’s second-half equaliser brought extra-time.

Stuart Dallas and substitutes Kyle Lafferty, Conor Washington and Liam Boyce were on target for the visitors from 12 yards, with the final two having been sent on in the last seconds of extra-time, while ’keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a vital save, continuing the fine form he had shown during the game.

It was a wonderful night for all the players, none more so than captain Steven Davis, who played 120 minutes as he earned his 120th cap to go past Pat Jennings and move top of the all-time appearance list for his country. For Baraclough (pictured), in only his third game in charge, it was a glorious evening.

He will prepare for Nations League games at home to Austria tomorrow and away to Norway on Wednesday, but already the fans are relishing the November 12 play-off final showdown with Slovakia, believing, like when they made it to Euro 2016, they can reach another major tournament.

“I know many of the Northern Irish public might have wanted (to face the Republic) but we didn’t have any preference really,” stated Baraclough.

“It was all about Bosnia and getting through this tie. If you start looking too far ahead and wondering about who you want in the final it takes the focus off this game.

“There was no way we were going to allow the players or ourselves to do that. It’s Slovakia. Now we have to prepare properly for them – whether it’s 90 minutes, 120 minutes or penalties – to get us to the Euros, and that’s all that matters.”

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will have 600 fans inside Windsor for tomorrow’s Nations League game against Austria, and will hope that limited number can be increased for the visit of Slovakia on November 12.