Lafferty calls for response

Kyle Lafferty insists Northern Ireland will bounce back from the 1-0 Group C defeat to Poland when they take on Ukraine on Thursday.

Northern Ireland went into the clash on a 12-game unbeaten run while they had not conceded a goal in their last 271 minutes of football. A strong defence is what Michael O’Neill’s side were built on over qualifying, having let in just eight goals, and that was certainly the game-plan in Sunday’s opener.

The Green and White Army offered little going forward but they looked sturdy at the back, with few opportunities being created by Poland to open the scoring. However, a good strike from Arkadiusz Milik at the start of the second period proved to be the defining moment, with the Poles recording their first ever win at a European Championship.

Lafferty, who scored seven goals in qualifying, struggled to make an impact in the game and the lack of service from the midfield was clear to see.

The 28-year-old admits the display was not good enough and he has now promised to turn things around in the second group game against the Ukrainians.

He said after the match: “The whole performance was not a Northern Ireland performance and on Thursday we will go and put it right.” Northern Ireland, who could decide to give starting chances to Jamie Ward and Conor Washington, are the big outsiders at 7.00 to clinch victory, a draw is priced at 4.00 while Ukraine are 1.53 favourites.

The latter lost their opener against world champions Germany 2-0 but they will be confident of beating the Irish after producing a strong performance in defeat.