Having ended a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high note by beating Denmark at Windsor Park 12 months ago, Michael O’Neill’s side maintained that momentum this year.
An away win in Scotland followed by a credible draw in Romania showed signs of the solidity that was the cornerstone of the former Stoke City manager’s first spell in charge of his country.
A 5-1 thrashing in Spain looked less worrying as their plucky opponents won the Euros, while a 2-0 win over Andorra provided another example of Conor Bradley’s star quality.
However, friendly performances will always come with something of an asterisk, and although the Nations League will never have the same importance as the qualifiers, O’Neill will have been eager to see his promising team perform in competitive action.
When the immediate frustration of turning what should have been a win into a draw on Monday night subsided, he was able to reflect on a campaign that represents a step forward for a team that is simultaneously showing progress while also having plenty of room to grow. .
“To be able to lead the pack and to be able to do that is really a testament to the players, a testament to their application,” he said.
“I’m delighted with the group we have. They have to keep working and pushing, but in two or three years it will still be a young group and the exciting thing is that we look like a good team at this moment in time.”
