Worthington keeps feet on ground after win

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is trying to remain grounded even though his improving team have made history.

A 1-0 victory against Slovenia at Windsor Park meant the province had won four successive qualifiers for the first time in their history.

Even when they strode proudly to the World Cup finals in 1958, 1982 and 1986, Northern Ireland never had that consistency.

Two of those games might have been against San Marino but victories against Poland and now Slovenia are a measure of their progress and new-found respect.

The province lie top of Group Three with three matches remaining, thanks to Warren Feeney’s winner although Slovakia are only a point adrift with two games in hand.

Worthington said: “We are in a good position. We wanted to be on 13 points and that’s happened. Now we want as many points from the last three games as possible.

“There is still a long way to go. We have Slovakia here and two massive away matches against Poland and the Czech Republic.

“However it is nice to make history and I am delighted for the players. All the way through they have been fantastic.

“They’ve not always had the rub of the green. We had to make it happen tonight and we did.

“You have to work hard, that is key. The players had the bit between their teeth. They have taken all the information on board and put it into practice.

“It was a fight but we knew it was going to be like that. Slovenia are a good side, big and strong.

“The first half was like a heavyweight boxing match. It was blow for blow. We had to increase our energy levels in the second half.

“We did that and got our reward with a very good goal. We also kept a clean sheet which was pleasing. ”

On-loan Dundee United striker Feeney scored his second goal in successive games with a glancing header following good work from Damien Johnson and Sammy Clingan.

Feeney told Sky Sports Three: “If we keep our momentum and our belief I do not see why we can’t go further. We’ve got great belief.

“This is dedicated to our fans because they’ve been brilliant for the last two games.”

Asked where he thought Northern Ireland would finish in the group, Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said: “Behind Slovenia.

“They managed to win with their only effort on target. It was amazing. We had bad luck.

“But we can beat any team and are aiming to take 12 points from our last four matches.”