Quinn plots shock for England and Wales

Northern Ireland striker James Quinn believes Windsor Park could be the launching pad for a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

England and Wales as well as Poland, Austria and Azerbaijan are due to visit Belfast.

The province are beginning to show good progress under manager Lawrie Sanchez and secured a home draw against Serbia and Montenegro last night.

Quinn, who plays for Dutch side Willem 11, emphasised the changing mood in the camp with his first goal for his country in four years.

“I think that by the time the World Cup qualifiers come around we could spring a surprise on England or Wales,” he said.

“They and the rest of the teams in our group certainly won’t fancy coming to Windsor Park.

“You can feel that we are going forward – the fans can feel it too. The atmosphere was fantastic.”

Out on the pitch though, the game became heated and Quinn claimed he was spat at. He was booked with team-mate Tommy Doherty in the 78th minute along with Werder Bremen’s towering defender Mladen Krstajic as tempers boiled over.

Quinn said: “I have never been spat at in my life and I found it very degrading.

“I just lost it and must learn to control my temper. But being spat at is not very nice.”

Quinn is hoping he did enough to claim a place in the squad for a three-match Caribbean tour, which begins at the end of May.

“There is a feeling of excitement among the boys that hasn’t been around for a long time,” he said.

“Like the rest of the players I want to be part of the tour squad to stake my claim for a place in the side.”

Under Sanchez, Northern Ireland have won one, drawn one and lost one. Not only that they have scored in three successive matches after going 1298 minutes without a goal.

Former striker Billy Hamilton says Sanchez deserves a lot of credit.

“He has instilled new-found confidence in the team,” he told BBC TV. “Three months ago the team would have been swept aside.

“Serbia were one of the most skilful teams we have seen at Windsor Park for a long time. Their one-touch football was great.

“But our players stuck to their guns, got in among them and knocked Serbia out of their stride.

“Lawrie has a selection headache now as a few players did themselves a lot of favours in this game.”