Tuesday 16 October 2018 23:28, UK
Northern Ireland must beat the Republic of Ireland in their friendly next month to repay their fans for their unwavering support, says midfielder George Saville.
Northern Ireland travel to Dublin on the back of successive away Nations League defeats to Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Michael O'Neill's side failed to score in either of the matches, and Saville believes the fans who followed them across Europe this month deserve something in return.
Discussing the game against the Republic, he said: "We owe the fans, especially in a game of that magnitude. We need to win that football match.
"We owe the fans a lot. They were in here in numbers again, singing all night and even long after the final whistle we could hear them in the changing room. They were absolutely brilliant.
"They really inspire us with all their support - it's mind-blowing how supportive they are. They are just fantastic.
"I have never seen anything like it and we as a team appreciate every single one of them and how they support us home and away."
Northern Ireland were unlucky to lose in Sarajevo on Monday, hitting the post twice, but the result leaves them bottom of their Nations League group with no points.
Saville believes they showed they deserve to be better off in the standings, though, saying: "I think we're just as good as Austria and Bosnia.
"We played well in patches and even at 1-0 down we had chances. If we had taken them I honestly believe we would have gone on to win the football match.
"We need to start taking our chances and start winning football matches."
