All Whyte on the night for O’Neill
GAVIN WHYTE needed fewer than two minutes of his Northern Ireland debut to find the net as Michael O’Neill’s side enjoyed a win over Israel in a friendly at Windsor Park.
Whyte hit the third goal, moments after coming on as a substitute to add to first-half strikes from captain Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas.
It helped the hosts to a first win in four and a much-needed result after the frustration of Saturday’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League loss to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
O’Neill made five changes from the weekend, with Will Grigg starting as reward for his late consolation goal, while goalie Trevor Carson replaced Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Israel proved tougher opponents than Bosnia, but they were soon punished by Davis’ 13th-minute opener from the edge of the area.
Dallas doubled the lead five minutes before the break, before Oxford man Whyte made his instant impact seconds after coming on.