Evans aims to keep on victory trail

JONNY EVANS has a winning mentality at 19 — and Northern Ireland are reaping the benefits.

The strapping defender is aiming to extend his remarkable unbeaten run for club and country tomorrow.

Evans looks certain to win his fourth cap for Northern Ireland when they face Liechtenstein in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Vaduz. He has yet to finish on a losing side for the province after making his debut in the stunning 3-2 victory against Spain.

Evans followed that display with similar performances in the draw with Denmark and the defeat of Latvia.

A loan move to Sunderland in January was the result — following a stint with United’s feeder club Royal Antwerp — after he impressed manager Roy Keane. And Evans has kept the momentum going on Wearside and is yet to figure on the losing side in 11 Coca-Cola Championship appearances.

Evans is loving life on and off the pitch – he scored his first goal for the club in the victory against Hull – after choosing Durham as his temporary home.

“While I have been at Sunderland the only defeat has come in the FA Cup (against Preston). It is brilliant at the moment with the club on a good run and Northern Ireland doing so well.”

Keane first showed interest in Evans in the summer but the player explained: “One or two people wondered whether I could play at that level. But he decided to take a chance on me after the internationals.

“I love the work but that’s the same as any player who is making regular appearances. My game has come on at Sunderland, playing against good players, week in, week out, and more physical players. It is definitely a step up from Antwerp.”

Evans has a mentality that surely delights Keane. Faced with world class players on his debut against Spain he rose to the challenge. Evans’ mantra is simple. “My attitude is that the player next to you is a normal guy like yourself, ” he said. You have the ability and the right to compete with them.

“If you think like that, you will always have a chance. Beating Spain was something special. It will go down in history.

The youngster’s performance was all the more remarkable given he was playing out of position at left back.

Not that Evans was bothered, quite the opposite in fact. “I’m a natural central defender,” he said.

“I don’t mind playing full-back for Northern Ireland. I would play in net if asked.”