Aaron Hughes takes 100th cap in his stride

Aaron Hughes’ 100th cap came with no pomp and ceremony in Slovakia, though the modest defender revealed there was a tinge of emotion when he addressed his Northern Ireland team-mates post-match.

The 36-year-old joined Pat Jennings in their country’s club of centurions by arriving on to the pitch in Trnava as a 30th-minute substitute for the injured Craig Cathcart.

Such was Hughes’ keenness to enter the fray to immediately defend a corner in the 0-0 draw, he had already reached his own penalty area by the time the PA announcer at The City Arena informed the crowd of his historic appearance.