Ireland's Healy insists playing in Euro 2008 finals is priceless

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Northern Ireland must beat Spain in Las Palmas tonight to have any chance of reaching next summer's Euro 2008 Finals and the cash incentive, offered by former president Jim Boyce at the outset of the campaign, works out about £40,000 per player —roughly six months' pay for some of Nigel Worthington's lower-league squad members.

Scroll down to read more:

Magic man: David Healy

It may not be quite such a windfall for a player on Premier League wages, but Healy was adamant no amount of money could equate with reaching Austria and Switzerland.

'It's got nothing to do with money but everything to do with playing in the finals of a major tournament,' said the Fulham striker, who also needs Latvia to win in Sweden for his dream to become reality.

'My summers tend to be all about watching the World Cup or Euros on television. Just for once, I would love it to be others watching me.'

'It's a tall order, but we can take heart from what happened over the weekend, when no one expected Israel or Macedonia to win. Let's hope Latvia make it a hat-trick of shocks.'

SPAIN (4-4-2): Reina; Ramos, Pablo, Albiol, Pernia; Joaquin, Senna, Silva, Riera; Guiza, Tamudo.

N IRELAND (4-4-2): Taylor; McAuley, Hughes, Craigan, Baird; Sproule, Davis, Clingan, Brunt; Feeney, Healy.

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany).

TV: BBC2 N Ireland 6.40 (kick-off 7pm).