Worthington happy to keep it real

Before the match, the Northern Ireland boss called for his side to play his style of football and they came up trumps with a Kyle Lafferty double plus strikes from David Healy and Peter Thompson.

A Healy own goal proved to be a slight blip but Worthington said: "That was very good and I'm very pleased. We put them under pressure, created chances and they showed me they could score goals."

He added: "Everyone talks about the goals David Healy scores and rightly so, but we have shown there is more to our game than just that.

"David got a goal on his big night which was pleasing for everyone, but I was delighted for Kyle Lafferty to get a couple of goals and he knows he has to keep doing that.

"Peter Thompson is a player I have been very impressed with too, and his goal made me particularly pleased.

"But that was the team effort I have asked for.

"I wanted a high tempo in the first half and that's exactly what I got. It was the real Northern Ireland."

Worthington also had to alter his team selection on the morning of the game when George McCartney left the team hotel to be with his expectant wife.

That gave Jonny Evans his chance to impress at left-back and Worthington added: "George had to go and Jonny would have been on the bench, but he took his opportunity and showed me if he needs to be called upon he is up to it."