Sammy McIlroy has told Nigel Worthington and Northern Ireland fans not to panic after the depressing 2-0 friendly defeat to Hungary.

The former Northern Ireland boss knows all about trying to find the winning formula in a friendly — he was once without 13 players for a match against Spain at Windsor Park — and that’s why he says critics should hold fire on Worthington and his men.

Fans will forgive disappointing friendly performances if the style can be switched on in qualifying fixtures — starting in San Marino in February.

“I feel sorry for Nigel,” he said. “I went through it all when there wasn’t a huge amount of players to select from and he has the problem at the moment where key players are not playing regularly for their clubs.

“It is frustrating as he can do nothing about it.”

Morecambe manager McIlroy added: “You are relying on players to give 100% when they are playing for you but we are still relying on David Healy to score the goals and even he is struggling to get game time.

“Nigel has to grin and bear it. This was only a friendly and if we can win in San Marino it keeps us in the hunt for World Cup qualification.

“We have to stay realistic — we are building for the future and there are exciting young players like Jonny Evans who will improve.

“I have another one at Morecambe, Ryan McGivern, and I am hoping he will stay another month on loan with us from Manchester City.”

McIlroy tasted victory only five times as a Northern Ireland boss in 29 matches from 2000 to 2003.

His shot-shy troops even failed to score a single goal in 13 successive matches during an infamous period.

The Manchester United legend knows how quickly the Northern Ireland hotseat can become uncomfortable but he is backing his old international comrade to steady the ship.

“Players pull out of friendly internationals and these things happen,” he added.

“Nigel can only work with what he has. I was never able to get the squad I wanted together.

“Hopefully the team can put more points on the board in their qualifying group.

“There isn’t a lot of room for mistakes, though, and they have to get this result out of their system by winning the next game.”

Worthington has warned his players they must buck up their ideas when they next meet up in February for the World Cup qualifier in San Marino.

Anything other than an away win and there will be no hiding place for the manager or his players.