Michael O’Neill saluted his goalscoring sensation Conor Bradley after the Liverpool superstar hit a stunning brace to sink Andorra 2-0.
It may have been a low key friendly in front of only 400 supporters but Bradley’s double saw Northern Ireland sign off their June double header on a high.
After a bruising 5-1 defeat to Spain on Saturday, the former Dungannon United Youth ace’s finishing power floored Andorra.
Northern Ireland missed opportunities to win by a bigger margin but the attacking contribution of Bradley had O’Neill singing his praises.
The 20-year-old wing back registered his first senior brace with goals in the 16th and 23rd minutes in Murcia.
“Conor (Bradley) has demonstrated an ability and versatility to play anywhere on the right hand side but the damage he does tonight is from a central area so we have a special young player who can only continue like that,” beamed O’Neill.
“His attitude to the game is maybe his biggest attribute. He loves to play and trains like that. He always trains at his maximum, and I think other young players feed off that. I think Shea (Charles) is similar to that and Brodie Spencer and Trai Hume are like that too, they perform at their maximum, and Isaac Price also.
“You don’t come away disappointed at them not showing their ability, that’s a real positive for us.
“The timing of Conor’s runs and finishing was great. He could be wide with Paul Smyth narrow and could probably play as an eight in a central area, we will look at that.
“In certain games where we play with a midfield three, he could be suited to play as a right eight.
“He keeps putting himself in there – he was disappointed I took him off but I was protecting him a bit.”
Northern Ireland could not add to their 2-0 lead despite clear chances for Callum Marshall and Jamal Lewis before half-time.
Brodie Spencer struck the upright and substitute Ross McCausland missed a second half chance as O’Neill’s side failed to inflict further damage on opposition ranked 91 places below them.
But it was a memorable night for Bradley whose two goals in six first half minutes made the difference.
“It’s been a good trip,” said O’Neill. “We saw the top end of the game and had 22 outfield players who got on the pitch.
“Unfortunately, Conor Hazard had to withdraw, so unfortunately both him and young Pierce (Charles) were the only two not to get game time but it was a worthwhile exercise across the two games.
“We had other chances which we should have done better with but there so many fouls which weren’t punished appropriately I feel. The game got stop-start then but we didn’t get frustrated.”
West Ham teenager Marshall provided a superb cross for Bradley’s opener and then Lewis turned provider for the full-back’s stunning diving header.
Northern Ireland have now won three of their last five matches as they look to the Nations League campaign later this year.
O’Neill made five changes to the side beaten in Mallorca with Corry Evans, Spencer, Ciaron Brown, Smyth and Marshall coming in, but it remained a strong line-up with Bradley retained and Daniel Ballard taking over as captain.
Young defender Aaron Donnelly also came on in the second half to make his senior bow and there was a first international appearance since November 2020 for Ethan Galbraith.
“Aaron has been around us a little bit and he was unfortunate with an injury he got at Dundee,” said O’Neill.
“These lads are at the start of their careers and we are trying to help them and show they can play international football.
“It can be difficult to break through at top clubs and some players are on loans. We can assist them so they can play as high a level as possible.
“Overall, I think it was a good exercise for us. At 2-0 we were comfortable in the game. We scored two good goals and we probably should have scored more, if we’re honest. We had good chances in both halves. We were a bit disappointed we didn’t get a goal in the second half.
“But the key for us was to give players opportunities and they have got caps.
“We have four or five players to come back into the squad. It will give us more depth and these players need to be in good form for their clubs.”