Monday 8 September 2014 10:07, UK
Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty admitted he owed his country a good performance after playing a key role in the 2-1 victory over Hungary in Budapest on Sunday.
The Norwich player set up Northern Ireland’s 81st-minute equaliser for Niall McGinn with a fine run and pass and then bundled home the winning goal with two minutes remaining in the European Qualifier.
It was a huge improvement on Lafferty's recent international output, with just four appearances and one red card to show in World Cup qualifying.
"I think in the last campaign I let myself down, more importantly I let the manager (Michael O'Neill) down, and the squad and the fans," said the 26-year-old.
"I knew that my work-rate will always be 110 per cent and hopefully my ability will take me further. Thankfully we did it and I've got the winning goal so I'm happy."
He added: "Obviously I had a lot to prove, there were a lot of people talking about how much I want to play for my country, saying I only give 50 per cent but I think that's rubbish. Anyone who knows me knows I'm always up for selection.
"Everybody makes mistakes, every single person, and I'm no different but we had a point to prove and we did and we took our rewards with the goals."
Lafferty wasted no time in claiming his side's winner, despite the scrappiest of finishes as he battled to get the ball over the line.
"A few of the lads were telling me it was an own-goal but I got the end touch, definitely," he said.
"I had two or three chances at it. If it was an own-goal it was an own-goal but I definitely got the final touch."
