Release Date: 03/04/2009

Author: Marshall Gillespie

WEDNESDAY’S goalscoring hero Warren Feeney believes Northern Ireland can hold their nerve and make it to next summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa.

The Dundee United striker, whose winner against Slovenia was his fifth goal in a green shirt, knows Northern Ireland face a huge task in the three remaining group games but states the players are confident they can pick up the required points to at least clinch a play-off spot in Group Three.

“Everyone was disappointed that we let things slip during the Euro’s but we have learned from our mistakes in the last campaign,” said Feeney, who is on a season-long loan at Tannadice Park from Cardiff City. “There is now a great desire and belief within the camp that we can go one step further and reach a major finals for the first time in over 20 years

“It would be such a huge achievement for the players and would be absolutely brilliant for the fans who really deserve some success.

“If we did qualify for South Africa it frightens me to think how many supporters we would take to the Finals, it would just be amazing.”

The 28 year-old former Leeds United trainee only got the chance to partner David Healy up front against both Poland and Slovenia because of injuries to Kyle Lafferty and Martin Paterson, but he certainly made the most of his opportunity.

“I keep saying how much it means to me to play for my country, so to score in both games was tremendous for me.

“I was especially pleased with the goal against Slovenia; it was a great cross from Sammy and I took a chance and gambled and managed to direct the header across the keeper and it was fantastic to see it go into the bottom corner.

“We knew it would be a difficult game on Wednesday night,” claimed Feeney, “Especially after we had put so much energy into beating Poland. I think the whole team had tired legs in the first half and it showed.

“Nigel had a bit of a go at us at half-time and he told us we had to raise our game as we were so flat, he said that if we upped the tempo we could beat Slovenia and that’s exactly what happened.

So after two goals in as many games does he think that he will retain his place in attack when the next crucial World Cup Qualifier against Poland comes around next September?

“Kyle and Martin will probably be fit come the Poland match so whether I play or not is up to the manager but I’m sure he’ll make the right decision for the team,” said Feeney diplomatically. “Of course it will make life difficult for the manager if we are all fit, and obviously I want to start in Poland but we’ll just have to wait see.”

« Go Back