Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / INTERNATIONALS
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

Monday, 10 September 2007, 09:46 GMT 10:46 UK

McCartney upbeat for Iceland tie

George McCartney

Iceland v Northern Ireland
Reykjavik
Wednesday, 12 September
Kick-off: 1905 BST
Commentary on BBC Radio Ulster, Coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website.

West Ham defender George McCartney is confident that Northern Ireland can bounce back with a win against Iceland in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier.

Victory in the Group F clash is vital to qualification hopes after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Latvia.

"The belief has always been there and we will not give up," said McCartney.

"Qualification is not going to be easy - we've just got to forget about the Latvia result and concentrate on getting three points in Reykjavik."

He added: "We know we can't play well in every game but it was so disappointing against Latvia.

"They went into the match with a gameplan that worked and we failed to create any really good chances."

Manager Nigel Worthington maintains they have to focus on the job in hand and not worry about their opponents.

He is looking for the team to adopt a different mindset in Iceland to the one in Latvia.

The former Norwich boss said: "It will be all guns blazing against Iceland as we aim for the three points.

"It is an important match now, given what happened in Latvia.

"We have got to learn from that defeat and make sure we get it right on Wednesday.

Worthington defended his team selection after making two changes to the side that defeated Liechtenstein.

Stephen Craigan, who had played in the previous seven qualifiers, was dropped and replaced by Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.

Chris Brunt was also omitted at the expense of Stuart Elliott - and the team did not gel.

But Worthington said: "No matter what tactics or personnel you pick if you do not get the basics right, you are not entitled to win the game."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Trio sit out N Ireland training (10 Sep 07 |  Internationals )
Latvia 1-0 N Ireland (08 Sep 07 |  Internationals )
Worthington furious after defeat (08 Sep 07 |  Internationals )
N Ireland Player Rater (28 Mar 07 |  Internationals )
Euro 2008 qualifying as it happened (08 Sep 07 |  Internationals )
International football photos (08 Sep 07 |  Football )
Pick your N Ireland XI (06 Jun 07 |  Internationals )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Irish Football Association
Football on the BBC
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©