Northern Ireland defender shares taxi anecdote regarding Robbie Brady
Tuesday 13 November 2018 12:32, UK
Jonny Evans believes Northern Ireland's match against the Republic of Ireland will be played in 'good spirits' - as he shares a taxi anecdote regarding Robbie Brady.
The pair's relationship is one of several cross-border connections for Evans, who admitted he did manage to get one over on Brady ahead of the game.
"I've played with a lot of them over the years and known them a long time," he told Sky Sports News.
"I went in a taxi to Manchester airport with Robbie Brady, we picked him up on the way - and made him pay at the end."
The Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association are working on a joint bid to host a tournament for the first time after submitting an entry for the UEFA U21 Championship in 2023.
Despite growing relations, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is to speak to winger James McClean amid fears that he could be targeted by Northern Ireland fans over his decision not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy.
Evans insists relations between players on both teams are good and that they are focused on the football.
"There'll be a bit of bragging rights between ourselves as players but I think it will all be in good spirit," he said.
"It will be competitive but in the right way."
Kyle Lafferty is back in the Northern Ireland squad after pulling out of their last two matches due to an Achilles injury.
He subsequently missed Rangers' Scottish Premiership match against Hamilton after Northern Ireland invoked FIFA's 'five-day' rule which prevents players from representing their clubs for five days after an international break.
Evans is glad to have Lafferty back after Northern Ireland failed to score in either of their matches in the striker's absence.
"Kyle has been one of our top scorers over the years and we've missed him in the last few games," he said.
"We've missed his character as well. It's good to have him back and we hope he can get back to his best form and scoring goals for us."
