Stunning success for big Portsmouth favourite on landmark career achievement
What a night for the Fratton favourite, as he played an unlikely role for Northern Ireland on a win to remember for Michael O’Neill’s men.
Terry Devlin stepped up for Northern Ireland on a night in his career he will never forget.
The Pompey favourite was part of a stunning 3-0 international win for his country, as they pulled off an incredible victory against Ukraine in Slovakia.
Northern Ireland boss: ‘Brilliant for Terry.’
And the Blues’ player of the season did so from a makeshift position for Michael O’Neill’s side, as he contributed to a night to remember for the Green and White Army from left wing-back.
That will raise a few eyebrows among the Fratton Faithful, but the former Dungannon Swifts and Glentoran man excelled in the position for his side on his seventh international cap.
Two goals from Ciaran Brown and Isaac Price’s effort gave Northern Ireland an emphatic and unlikely win, as they joined Sweden and France as the only sides to beat Ukraine in the past 12 months.
The success means O’Neill’s men maintain their unbeaten Nations League start, as they top their B2 table after three games ahead of Hungary, Georgia and their vanquished opponents.
The win is made all the more impressive given the Northern Ireland team had an average age of just 22, with Devlin part of a new era for his country.
His display earned plaudits from his country’s supporters on a night he will savour.
‘How good has Terry Devlin been here for @NorthernIreland,’ said @Stu22donaghy. ‘At Left wing-back no less. Positionally so good, blocks, interceptions, clearances, and calm on the ball when in possession.’
‘Devlin as well was brilliant,’ added @williammcc82829.
O’Neill echoed that sentiment, as he singled Devlin out for praise operating in an unnatural position.
He said: ‘It was amazing for us to come here in game three.
‘We were saying how challenging this window was going to be for us, but the players have been magnificent.
‘It’s all the squad, but there was some really good performances right through the team.
‘The lads who came in - brilliant for Terry.
‘We’re asking him to play on his non-natural side, but I think he’s capable of playing there for us - and he showed it.
‘Clean sheets are everything and that is four in the past five games - and France are the team who scored against us. That gives you perspective.’
There was frustration for Devlin’s Pompey team-mate Adrian Segečić, however, as his Croatia under-21 side went down to a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in Hungary.
The Blues attacker played the full 90 minutes for his side in their Euro qualifier, but Croatia still top their table by four points after seven games.
There’s potentially more international duty to come for both players, with Northern Ireland taking on Georgia at home on Monday.
Meanwhile Croatia under-21s go to Lithuania on Tuesday, with Iyad Mohamed potentially featuring for Comoros in their home friendly with Senegal tomorrow.