Release Date: 01/03/2010

NORTHERN Ireland’s Kyle Lafferty is looking to add to his seven goal international tally when Nigel Worthington’s boys take on Albania on Wednesday night.

And in the not too distant future, the 22-year-old is aiming to break the country’s second highest goal scoring record of 13 goals which is jointly held by Colin Clarke and Billy Gillespie.

“I would definitely like to add to my goal tally when we play Albania on Wednesday night,” said Lafferty.  “I’m not too far off the second top goalscorer record, so I wouldn’t mind breaking that record sooner rather than later.  I think with the team we have I’m always going to get opportunities in front of goal and it’s up to me if I take them or not.  So hopefully on Wednesday I can go out and play my own game and get a goal.”

Albania are currently ranked 97^th in the world, but away from home it will not be an easy game.  Also, there has been a lot of heavy rain in Tirana in the last few days and the pitch at the Qemal Stafa Stadium is not in the best of conditions as a result of this.

However, according to Lafferty, the Northern Ireland boys are ready to step up to the challenge which lies ahead.

And even though it’s a friendly, he’s says that it’s always a great honour to play for your country and so you want to do well in each game.

“You want to win every game playing for your country and getting a win against Albania would be brilliant,” he said.  “I think Nigel has come in and done really well.  He’s a good manager and he knows how to get the lads up for games and that’s why we’re doing so well under him.

“But I also think that all the players know that it is a great achievement to be selected and to play for your country and that it is important to also do well for the fans who always support us home and away.”

The game against Albania on Wednesday night kicks-off at 8.45pm (local time in Tirana).

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