Mcginn and Davis on target as Northern Ireland get off to winning start against Estonia

their opening Euro 2020 qualifier at Windsor Park.

After a tough draw paired them with Holland and Germany in Group C, Northern Ireland made sure the most winnable fixture of all led to three points as Aberdeen winger Niall Mcginn and on-loan Rangers midfielder Steven Davis struck in the second half, the latter from the penalty spot.

It was a first competitive win since September 2017, putting to bed the frustration of last year’s Nations League in which they failed to muster a point.

The first half had brought unwelcome memories of that campaign as Northern Ireland hogged the ball and kept their opponents on the back foot, only to go unrewarded as it remained goalless at the break.

But that changed in the 56th minute when Rangers strik- er Kyle Lafferty showed good strength to lay the ball off for Mcginn to rifle home, to the audible relief of Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland had the points wrapped up when Estonia captain Karol Mets went in high on George Saville, and after the referee pointed to the spot, Davis sent his penalty straight down the middle to seal a confidence-boosting win ahead of Sunday’s home clash against Belarus.