Rafferty also admitted that it was difficult for her to think about reaching one of those milestones before Tanya Oxtoby was appointed, as she was in and out of the Northern Ireland squads at present.
“Football can work in strange and wonderful ways. They give me opportunities and I take advantage of them, I give everything for my country,” he added.
The 28-year-old praised newly appointed Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill for passing on the captain’s armband as the Birmingham Town striker looked to celebrate Rafferty’s fiftieth international cap to let out her supremacy in the team.
“It was probably difficult for her since she was just announced as captain, but she spoke to me and said she wanted me to wear it and I’m very grateful.
“She made my past by saying that and the crowd made it really special, it was a night I won’t skip.”
Rafferty admitted Northern Ireland had to “push really hard” to get a draw thanks to an own goal.
“The goal was tough, but it was a goal and I’m really happy that Casey Howe came back off the bench and made that happen.”
“Now we are going to travel home and we want to settle in and be successful in the next round.”
She believes the field was a contributing factor to the hectic nature of the game.
“The first half was not so sinister, but the second half was totally messed up, we controlled it until it was not the prettiest, however, they gave us the result.”
