Lennon skippers North for Cyprus tie

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Sammy McIlroy is calling on Neil Lennon to run the show against Cyprus tonight at Windsor Park.

The 31-year-old Celtic midfielder has been handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Steve Lomas and Gerry Taggart, who have withdrawn from the squad through injury.

Lennon is working his way back to full fitness after requiring knee surgery in the summer. McIlroy is convinced he is just the man for the job in what will be their final warm-up game ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.