Monday 5 September 2016 15:39, UK
Michael O'Neill hailed Northern Ireland's "magnificent" defensive display following their 0-0 draw at the Czech Republic in their opening World Cup Qualifier.
Resolute performances from centre-backs Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley kept the hosts at bay, handing Northern Ireland an impressive point in Group C.
With world champions Germany also in the group, an away point against the Czechs could prove vital for O'Neill's side, and the Northern Ireland boss was certainly pleased with their efforts.
"The two centre-backs were magnificent and [Oliver] Norwood in front of them was magnificent as well," O'Neill told Sky Sports after the match.
"It's a good result to come here and take a point. First half we were very good and we knew we'd be a threat on the counter attack, but could have been better in terms of our final ball."
O'Neill went on to raise the issue that some of his players are getting little game-time at their domestic clubs.
This certainly showed as the clock ran down in Prague, with fatigue kicking in for a number of Northern Ireland's players, having chased down the Czechs for large chunks of the game.
"We set our team up according to the opposition, you saw the energy and work rate tonight. That makes my job easy," O'Neill added.
"However, it would be easier for me if we had more players playing on a regular basis, at the highest level possible."
"[Stuart] Dallas gave us a great shift despite not playing much at Leeds."
Northern Ireland look forward to hosting San Marino on October 8 before heading to Germany three days later.
