Gerry Armstrong: It speaks volumes that we're disappointed to settle only for a draw
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Expand
Euro 2020 qualifiers: Northern Ireland v Netherlands [Photos] Close
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, who has managed his last home game at Windsor Park, pictured with team captain Steven Davis after the game finished 0-0. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, who has managed his last home game at Windsor Park, pictured with team captain Steven Davis after the game finished 0-0. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis misses his penalty after Netherlands' Joel Veltman uses his arm to control the ball during Saturday night's UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Northern Ireland's Steven Davis misses his penalty after Netherlands' Joel Veltman uses his arm to control the ball during Saturday nights UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis takes a penalty which he fails to score as Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk looks on. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Pacemaker Belfast 16-11-19 Northern Ireland v Netherlands - Euro 2020 Qualifier Northern Ireland's Steven Davis misses a penalty during this evening's game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
PMAKER
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier Group C. Northern Ireland Vs Netherlands at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast. Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis takes a penalty which he fails to score at NetherlandsÕ captain Virgil van Dijk looks on. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Pacemaker - Belfast - -16/11/2019. Northern Ireland v Holland Euro 2020 Qualifier Windsor Park Belfast Netherland's Virgil van Dijk contests the ref penalty decision In tonight"s game At Windsor Park Photo Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press
Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen saves a shot the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying match at Windsor Park, Belfast. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wireduring the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying match at Windsor Park, Belfast. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
PA
Pacemaker Belfast 16-11-19 Northern Ireland v Netherlands - Euro 2020 Qualifier Northern Ireland's manager Michael O'Neill during this evening's game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
PMAKER
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Northern Ireland's Bailey Peacock-Farrell during Saturday nights UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Northern Ireland's Corry Evans with Netherlands' Davy Propper during Saturday nights UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
PressEye-Northern Ireland- 16th November 2019-Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Northern Ireland Bailey Peacock-Farrell against Netherlands during Saturday's EURO 2020 Qualifier at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye
Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans with Netherlands' Jasper Cillessen during Saturday nights UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis during Saturday night's UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier against the Netherlands at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Pacemaker - Belfast - -16/11/2019. Northern Ireland v Holland Euro 2020 Qualifier Windsor Park Belfast Northern Ireland Josh Magennis shot just past the post In tonight"s game At Windsor Park Photo Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press
Press Eye - Belfast, Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 - Photo by William Cherry/Presseye Northern Ireland with Netherlands during Saturday nights UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Northern Ireland manager Micheal O'Neill with Chris Brunt before Saturday night's UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier against Netherlands at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
William Cherry/Presseye
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier Group C. Northern Ireland Vs Netherlands at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast. Northern Ireland fans Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th November 2019 UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier Group C. Northern Ireland Vs Netherlands at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast. Northern Ireland fans Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Pacemaker - Belfast - -16/11/2019. Northern Ireland v Holland Euro 2020 Qualifier Windsor Park Belfast Dutch fan In tonight"s game At Windsor Park Photo Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press
/
Well, it’s as we all expected, if we are to reach Euro 2020 we must negotiate the play-offs.
Even though we didn’t manage to win last night’s game against the Netherlands, on what was possibly Michael O’Neill’s last fixture at Windsor Park, his boys can certainly hold their heads high.
It means we travel to Germany for the final fixture in the group with nothing but pride at this stage.
But, by the time those play-offs come around, don’t rule out a champagne-popping leaving party for Michael — this team still has a great chance to qualify.
It’s not that often you are disappointed having held the Dutch to a draw.
Read More
To be honest, we should have won the game. We had two or three really good chances early on — and there was the penalty miss.
Credit to Michael, he sent on attacking players in the last 20 minutes in a bid to win the game.
In fact, the Dutch had to resort to taking off attacking players to replace them with defenders. So it shows the quality, determination and passion we have in the team.
What a send-off it was for Michael — the fans did him proud. I’m so pleased he got a result but that delight is also tinged with disappointment because we really could have beaten the Dutch.
I really felt for Steven Davis, winning his 116th cap, making him the UK’s most capped midfielder, when he missed the spot kick.
I would have bet anything and everything I had for him to score that.
I couldn’t believe it when he blasted it over the crossbar.
There was a lot of kidology going on before he hit it.
The goalkeeper was out making a fuss, there was an awful lot of time wasted before the penalty was taken.
I think Steven got caught up in all of that — he lost his concentration. It could happen to anyone. He is a top professional, he’s a great captain and he gave us another performance to remember.
We’ve a game to play against Germany that doesn’t mean a lot because they have already qualified along with the Dutch.
It will be another chance for Michael to get the boys away and it will be the start of the preparations for the play-offs.
It’s down to the players to put in another performance for Michael in Germany.
We are now in a position that whoever takes over from Michael, there is a squad with a lot of quality and confidence — a team that plays for each other.
For me, his replacement has got to be Stevie Robinson, the current Motherwell boss.
He’s a good manager and he’s worked with the squad before.
The players know him which is important.
It would help keep the continuity in the camp.
But we have to keep someone like Jimmy Nicholl by his side.
He has got all the experience of working at this level and he can certainly help him.
You don’t want to alter things too much when a new manager comes in.
I think Stevie Robinson would be as good as we could get to be the next boss.
Belfast Telegraph
Most Read
- Orangeman quits in a flash over exposure charge
- Dee Coleman snaps at photographer after police arrest loyalist during crackdown on major drug dealing
- Travel junkie Sumbul Jahangir linked to IFA fraud case
- Michael Cashman on Hillsborough Castle booze-ups thrown by former Northern Ireland secretary Mowlam
- Boss of phone fix firm, who is escape room pioneer in Belfast, faces 'fake goods' rap