NI continue progress but still 'more growing to do'

Much has been made of the youthful nature of Michael O'Neill's new generation Northern Ireland side.

So youthful, in fact, that the average age of the team that finished the game was just 22.

But that was just a figure, and at Windsor Park against Switzerland on Friday you could not tell who the battle-hardened, major tournament experts were, and who were the fearless youngsters.

After earning promotion from Nations League C, this was billed as a step up for Northern Ireland against a pot one team.

Switzerland, while without a win in seven matches, were Euro 2024 quarter-finalists and were only knocked out on penalties by England.

Isaac Price's latest moment of magic gave the hosts the lead, but the Swiss soon levelled through a header from the unmarked Vincent Sierro.

They have a reputation as one of Europe's most consistent and efficient sides, but there was not a gulf in class in Belfast.

In fact, it was Northern Ireland who could have won the match as Price, Lee Bonis, Ethan Gabraith and debutant Jamie Donley all had efforts to find a winner.

"It was good, it was what we wanted from the game," said a satisfied O'Neill.

"We scored a goal goal but, we're disappointed with the goal that we lost.

"If you look at the age of our team, against a really strong team - yes, they are missing some important players, but so are we.

"I think it shows a lot of progress in the team. We weren't overawed by the opposition."

O'Neill was pleased with the work from his side off the ball, as they allowed Switzerland to dominate possession but chances for the visitors were few and far between.

After a difficult Euro 2024 campaign, in which an injury-ridden NI fell short of qualification, O'Neill's side have now lost just twice in 11 matches - one of which was to European champions Spain and the other a narrow defeat on a heavy pitch in Bulgaria.

Friday's draw shows that things are moving in the right direction ahead of the start of 2026 World Cup qualifying in September.

For O'Neill, continuing that momentum is key.

"The cycle for Euro 2024 was a difficult one, we were never going to be able to compensate for the players we lost," O'Neill added.

"We didn't have players ready made to come in. We're probably benefiting from that now because we had to play the younger players in that point in time.

"There is momentum and it's good for the players, because when they started to play international football, maybe they weren't winning a lot of games.

"It's not like they are coming from the culture of, 'Oh, we're used to winning', so to give them that and get that experience at international level is vital.

"We have a really good group of lads - how they work as a group and what they are like around the hotel, it's a really easy group to manage and I think they have a lot of growing still to do."

While Isaac Price, who O'Neill says is a "brilliant young player", stole the headlines after another superb goal, Northern Ireland's player of the night was arguably Ethan Galbraith, who continues to grow in stature every time he pulls on the green shirt.

The Leyton Orient midfielder also caught the eye of O'Neill, who said the 23-year-old produced "a really good performance".

"He's another player who looks really comfortable playing international football," O'Neill added.

"Technically he's so good as well. I always hoped Ethan would come through and I'm delighted that he has."

When on the books of Manchester United, it was almost assumed it was a case of when not if Galbraith would play for Northern Ireland's senior team.

However, after electing to drop down the leagues upon leaving Old Trafford, Galbraith has taken the long road to the international stage and O'Neill feels it was worth the wait.

"Ethan was a terrific young player, and it's a difficult situation to come through and be a player at Manchester United.

"He's had to go back down the leagues and I think Leyton Orient and [manager] Richie Wellens has been brilliant for him."

O'Neill added that "everyone knew the talent was there" with Galbraith, who also had a spell at Doncaster Rovers.

"It sometimes just takes a little bit longer for it to fall into place.

"His mentality is a lot stronger now, his physical attributes are stronger - but his ability on the ball was never in question."

After Friday's solid performance, Northern Ireland will be tested again in Stockholm against Sweden on Tuesday evening, who are on a resurgent run after dropping into League C.

O'Neill admits he doesn't have the depth to "change the side dramatically and expect the team to be just as strong", but says he will likely freshen things up.

"Sweden are a good side. I'm not sure whether [Newcastle United striker Alexander] Isak will play and I believe [Sporting Lisbon's Victor] Gyokeres is out, but they have good players and it will be a test for us.

"The players should gain confidence from tonight's game and take that into Tuesday."