Nigel Worthington is either suffering from acute delusion or he knows something we don't. The latest revelations from the NI manager suggest that we have still a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.
Whilst that may seem quite laughable in itself, he is expecting this achievement without key players and with two of the remaining games away from home, including next week's game in Sweden.
"It's like when you are going for promotion or a place in the play-offs and points are still available. The door is still open," said Worthers. "The mountain is certainly a lot steeper than it was four weeks ago but while it's still mathematically possible, there is always a chance.
"We have to go out there and play well even though we are away from home which has been an Achilles heel for Northern Ireland over many years.
"We must be looking at a win to keep our qualifying hopes alive.
"An uphill task faces us but sometimes Northern Ireland have been at their best when they are faced with uphill tasks.
"If we can show some of the resilience and character we have within ourselves and carry that second half performance in Iceland on we can move forward and anything can happen."
All this when we have one of our hardest workers Keith Gillespie only 50/50 for the game. Jonny Evans is also doubtful with Accrington Stanley's Sean Webb a likely replacement. As if that were not bad enough, we are now looking at Glentoran's Gary Hamilton to join the standby list.
Worthington has had a disastrous start. One win, two defeats, disharmony in the dressing room, fights between players. Not good. It seems unlikely he will stay beyond November but that will come as no surprise given the results.
"Whatever happens between now and then and at that time, happens," he said. " I'm very open minded, I'm enjoying the job and I also enjoy club management. I'll see the contract through - and after that I haven't ruled anything in or out."
Northern Ireland squad: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City); Alan Mannus (Linfield); Michael McGovern (Celtic) Stephen Craigan (Motherwell); Tony Capaldi (Cardiff City); George McCartney (West Ham United); Aaron Hughes (Fulham); Jonathan Evans (Manchester United); Gareth McAuley (Leicester City) Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United); Steven Davis (Fulham); Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest); Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion); Grant McCann (Barnsley); Stephen Robinson (Luton Town); Steve Jones (Burnley) David Healy (Fulham); Kyle Lafferty (Burnley); Ivan Sproule (Bristol City).
Standby: Gary Hamilton (Glentoran), Sean Webb (Accrington Stanley). |
