Lafferty: I’ll pay debt to O’Neill with goals

KYLE LAFFERTY is back among the goals for Northern Ireland, but whether he will be back in the team against world champions Germany tomorrow night is another matter.

The Norwich striker came on in the 79th minute to score twice and set up another as Michael O’Neill’s men beat San Marino at Windsor Park.

O’Neill admits it is difficult to put Lafferty in the starting line-up when he has played just 28 minutes of Championship football this season.

Lafferty, 29, is set to leave Carrow Road in January and may have to accept being an impact substitute for his country until then — despite ending a five-game barren run to take his tally to nine goals in his last 11 qualifiers.

Asked if this is the toughest period of his career, Lafferty said: ‘Probably. I want to play as many games for Northern Ireland as I can. Not starting is always disappointing.

‘But if the manager says I’m not fit enough and I’m going to be better for the team playing 30 minutes, I have to respect that. There are players playing club football and if I was in their shoes I’d be asking questions why I wasn’t starting.

‘In club football, I don’t have a manager who has a lot of faith in me like Michael. And I’m repaying Michael by getting goals and three points.’

Northern Ireland face Group C leaders Germany in Hanover nearly four months after losing to them 1-0 at Euro 2016. Only a super display by goalkeeper Michael McGovern saved his team from a heavier defeat that day, earning him a move from Hamilton to Norwich where, unlike Lafferty, he is a regular starter.

McGovern said: ‘I’d like to think I won’t be just as busy this time, but I will be prepared for every eventuality.’