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Michael O'Neill hails Northern Ireland as they break 20-year unbeaten record

Michael O'Neill: Northern Ireland boss is looking for a final push against Greece
Image: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was delighted with his side's performance against Slovenia

Michael O’Neill spoke of his pride at eclipsing the record set by his old international manager Billy Bingham as Northern Ireland made it 10 games unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Slovenia.

A first-half goal from Conor Washington and a second-half penalty save from Roy Carroll from Milivoje Novakovic took Northern Ireland's unbeaten run into double figures. 

It was Bingham's team who had set the benchmark en route to the World Cup in 1986, but O'Neill's men have now bettered it during a run where they are the first team since to reach a major international tournament.

"It's great for this group of players," said O'Neill.

"There's players that have gone 10 games without a win, the opposite side of that, and played in bad times. We're in this moment, we want it to last as long as we can keep it there.

Northern Ireland's Conor Washington takes a shot on goal during an International Friendly at Windsor Park, Belfast
Image: Conor Washington scored his first goal for Northern Ireland on his home international debut

"It's nice for me because Billy Bingham was the manager who gave me my debut at 18 years of age, he believed in me at a young age. I've tried to take that into management in terms of giving players opportunities."

One of those players given a chance over this period of international fixtures was Washington, a 23-year-old Kent-born forward who once worked as a postman and progressed through the non-league ranks.

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The QPR striker, who had set foot in Northern Ireland only once before, was underwhelming on his 45-minute international debut in Wales last Thursday, but he may have done enough in a man-of-the-match performance against Slovenia to ensure he is in France in June.

Washington seals NI victory
Washington seals NI victory

Northern Ireland stepped up their preparations for Euro 2016 with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia...

Having been thwarted by Jan Oblak moments earlier, his goal came when he barged Miral Samardzic and then Nejc Skubic off the ball before he cut inside Bostjan Cesar and fired home.

"The first time I saw Conor play was against Luton in the second round of the FA Cup and he scored a goal in the exact same area of the pitch," O'Neill added.

"He loves to get into that tussle with a centre-back, the physical side of the game, but equally when he gets in there he has the ability to show a bit of quality. On that occasion he had a great finish with his right foot into the top corner.

Northern Ireland's Conor Washington (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with team mates Oliver Norwood and Jonathan Evans
Image: Washington (left) celebrates his goal with Oliver Norwood (centre) and Jonny Evans (right)

"The chance before I thought he manufactured it great. He showed really good composure to drag it onto his left, the goalkeeper saves it.

"Equally you see what Conor Washington is about - that rawness, that power, that pace, sometimes you don't get that from players who are in a development system from a very young age.

"He has those attributes, which are refreshing to see as a coach. He's so hungry to learn and keen to do well. It's great.

"For a player who has just come into the squad, the reaction from the other members in the team to him scoring shows how well he's fitting in."

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