FIRST WIN STILL ELUDES UNDER-FIRE BARACLOUGH

IAN BARACLOUGH is still searching for his first 90-minute win as Northern Ireland manager after losing 2-1 in a friendly against the USA at Windsor Park. Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic scored for the visitors, with Niall McGinn’s volley a late consolation for an Irish side skippered for the first time by Kyle Lafferty. Ex-Motherwell boss Baraclough, whose only win in ten games in charge was on penalties in last October’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Bosnia, said: ‘I hate losing but I will take the flak.’ The Irish face Bulgaria in Wednesday’s home World Cup qualifier.