North can look to future with a new-found confidence, says Hughes

AARON HUGHES believes Northern Ireland can go on and qualify for a major championship in the not too distant future. The 23-year-old Newcastle defender led the celebrations on the pitch and in the dressing room after captaining his country for the fourth time.

Northern Ireland looked street-wise in Donetsk, even though nine of the team that started the game were under 30. They defended in numbers from front to back in this European Championship qualifier to frustrate Ukraine and pick up only their third point in Group Six.

At the final whistle the players hugged each other and swapped high-fives - and the party atmosphere continued all the way back to Belfast.

Hughes claims there is a special bond between the group, which leaves him optimistic that Northern Ireland can turn the corner.

That elusive victory and elusive goal they have failed to score in 1062 minutes could come on Wednesday when Armenia arrive at Windsor Park.

Hughes said: "What happened during and after the game just emphasised the spirit in the squad.

"We stick together and help each other out in games. It was a huge match against Ukraine.

"Not only did we want to get a good result we also knew it was important to build on the draw with Spain.

"It was a partisan atmosphere but once we got going the lads blocked it from their minds and got on with the job.

"It was a good performance, another good defensive performance. We knew it would be hard to come here and score goals and all the rest.

"If you had given me a 0-0 at the start of the campaign I think I would have taken it but we deserved something from the game.

"We have shown we can go away and nick a point. Now we need to win our home games and then maybe we have got half a chance of qualifying for something.

"Hopefully we can keep the young squad together. It is good to have the likes of Michael Hughes and Keith Gillespie around to add their experience.

"We have had three good performances including the Italy game. There will be no better time than to get our first win in the campaign when we meet Armenia."

Hughes will again lead the team out after a towering performance when goalkeeper Maik Taylor made it five clean sheets in a row for club and country.

Midfielder Michael Hughes will miss the match on Wednesday after picking up a second yellow card on his comeback match.

Manager Sammy McIlroy is likely just to make the one enforced change after being thrilled with his team's last performance.

"You can see these young boys are playing for the shirt and their country," he said.

"The passion and the commitment was first class. I am so proud of them.

"We kept our shape and discipline when Ukraine put us under pressure near the end of the match.

"They were limited in the end to long-range shots because we were doing such a good job."