Gareth McAuley hails Northern Ireland after they seal place in last 16 of Euro 2016
Wednesday 22 June 2016 07:43, UK
Gareth McAuley lauded Northern Ireland's progress to the last 16 of Euro 2016 as an "incredible achievement".
The team, competing in their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup, will face France or Wales in the last 16, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Germany at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday in their final Group C match.
A 2-0 victory over Ukraine last Thursday and a final goal difference of zero saw Northern Ireland secure one of the best third-placed berths.
McAuley admits his side had sneaked through the "back door", but says nothing should be taken away from the players, who are competing at their first Euro finals.
"It's an absolutely incredible achievement by everyone involved," McAuley said after learning they had advanced en route back to Lyon.
"Not just the players involved but everyone included. It's made it a fantastic tournament for us to be involved in.
"Aaron Hughes had 102 caps, he's not played a lot of football, he's come in and had two amazing performances for us. There's loads of little personal, collective things from all the lads.
"We're just pleased that everyone can come back again and have a party at the weekend.
"It's just pride because we weren't given a chance when the draw was made. All these experts [said we would get] no points, wouldn't get out of the group.
"We've managed to do that, through the back door albeit, but I'm still incredibly proud."
Despite the loss, the slender margin of defeat proved crucial and goalkeeper Michael McGovern was a large reason for the narrow reverse.
The soon-to-be out-of-contract Hamilton stopper made brilliant saves from Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and goalscorer Mario Gomez to stop the floodgates from opening in a performance which prompted applause from his team-mates as soon as he returned to the dressing room.
McGovern added: "If you take into account the stage we're on and the level of opposition, I really enjoyed it.
"I enjoyed the challenge, I've enjoyed the other games as well. The tournament has been more than we could have imagined.
"The players gave me a round of applause when I came in, that was really nice.
"It was great to have my family there, my wife and my wee boy, my mum and dad and a few others.
"I've spoken to a few of them on the phone and they were absolutely ecstatic. My wee boy is Kieran and I've got a wee girl, Meghan, as well but she's six weeks old. She couldn't come because it's too noisy."