Wednesday night at Windsor Park did not go to plan.

We were hoping to finish the international year on a high and provide the superb Northern Ireland fans with an early Christmas present.

We failed.

It was a dreadful performance from us and in the end I would say we were fortunate that Hungary only beat us 2-0.

Excuses could be made such as that we were missing several influential players and that those who played didn’t have enough first team football at club level under our belts.

But I’m not one for excuses.

We were awful on the night and let the fans at Windsor Park down.

We didn’t perform at all. We lacked just about everything you need on a football pitch.

I don’t think we got any of the basics right. I’m just relieved it was a friendly and there were no World Cup points at stake.

Our manager Nigel Worthington must be scratching his head. Under him we have performed superbly at times, such as away from home against Sweden and at Windsor against the likes of Denmark, Georgia and the Czech Republic, but on other occasions we just haven’t been at the races.

On Wednesday night, he had a go at the players and he had every right.

We may have been missing key men like Aaron Hughes, George McCartney and Steve Davis, but the team that was sent out, was good enough to do far better than we did.

Everyone needs to take responsibility for what we served up. From defenders to midfielders to forwards, and of course I include myself in that.

I know how badly I played and am also my own worst critic. I also know because I am considered more high profile than most of the boys due to what I have done in the past for Northern Ireland, I’ll take more flak.

I can take it on the chin, though I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the assessment by some that it was my worst and most ineffective game for Northern Ireland.

The Hungarian goalkeeper made a couple of decent saves from me and if any of those go in, everything would have been different.

I’ve played in games for Northern Ireland when we were being dominated so much that I hardly got a touch. That’s when you feel ineffective!

I guess because of what I did in the last campaign, people expect me to volley one in to the top corner from 25 yards in every international.

I’m flattered that people think that way, but it doesn’t always work out that.

I still have great self belief in my ability and have belief in this Northern Ireland side. We shouldn’t lose hope because of the Hungary game.

We have come too far in recent years to do that. We were abysmal, but I’ll guarantee we’ll be much improved in February when we go to San Marino for a crucial World Cup qualifier.

I said after Wednesday’s game that I’m sure the fans felt short-changed. In many ways I’m glad that 2008 is over for us in international terms because it has been such a disappointing year.

I promise you we will do our very best to make it up to everyone in 2009.

Terry, it’s high time you shook the hand of God

There was much debate this week about Terry Butcher refusing to shake Diego Maradona’s hand after Scotland’s game with Argentina at Hampden.

My own opinion is that Terry should let it go.

Of course he felt cheated when the “Hand of God” thing happened at the World Cup in 1986, but that was 22 years ago!

People have had to forgive and try to forget far worse things than that.

Maradona hit back by saying “Who is Terry Butcher?”.

He is almost as entertaining in those press conferences as he was on the pitch.

I also liked his line about England only winning the World Cup in 1966 because of a dodgy goal.

It’s going to be fun having him in international management.

As for Terry, he isn’t the England captain any more. He isn’t even involved with the England set up. He is a coach for Scotland.

Time has moved on.

If they ever meet again Terry should shake Maradona’s hand and let bygones be bygones.

Cap fits for England

England fans enjoyed themselves on Wednesday night.

I doubt there is any other side, bar maybe Scotland, that they love beating more than Germany.

It was a great result for England, especially considering how many star names were missing.

It wasn’t just the supporters though who were happy. I imagine the English FA are relieved about all these victories because finally it feels as though they have got the right man as the boss.

Fabio Capello is doing an excellent job. By the way he has every right to make players, whoever they are, turn up when injuries have been reported.

I’ve heard many England fans saying that they’ll win the World Cup now.

Before they get too carried away it’s worth remembering that they fail when they get to the finals of big tournaments.

They are on the right track, though I still believe there are many questions relating to England, such as can they finally deliver when it really matters?

They won’t be answered until South Africa 2010.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

There wasn’t much to cheer at Windsor Park, but I was really pleased that young Niall McGinn (below) from Derry City earned his first Northern Ireland cap.

He got a great reception from the Northern Ireland fans which was good to see and he can be happy and content with how he trained and how he did when he came on in the second half.

I hope he scores the winner for Derry City in the FAI Cup final this weekend.

Also well done to goalkeeper Johnny Tuffey for making his international debut.

I recall how much it meant to me. It’s just a pity we couldn’t deliver a win or decent performance for the the new boys.