Chris Brunt admits Northern Ireland return could hardly have gone any better
Saturday 12 November 2016 11:48, UK
Chris Brunt admitted his Northern Ireland return could hardly have gone any better after the 4-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Belfast.
Knee ligament damage had kept Brunt out from February to October but he made up for lost time with a fine performance as Michael O'Neill's men moved second in their World Cup qualifying section.
Brunt defied an early head injury and delivered for Gareth McAuley's second goal, and he provided the assist for captain Steven Davis to round off the night with the final goal.
"It couldn't have gone much better for me and the team," he said.
"The result was obviously the important thing and then the fact we kept a clean sheet. Azerbaijan were coming here on the back of not conceding a goal in three games so it was important for us to put them on the back foot and try and score some goals.
"We obviously did that and to come away with a 4-0 win is great. In the second half they may have had a bit more of the ball but I don't really recall Michael McGovern having to make more than one save throughout the game."
Brunt's road to rehabilitation was a long one but having missed out on Euro 2016 he was determined to get back onto the international stage as soon as possible.
"I must admit I did sit and think about playing international football while I was out," he said.
"A lot of the time you are just working hard to get fit but it did cross my mind.
"I've played a few games for West Brom over the last few weeks and coming here was going to give me another chance to get 90 minutes under my belt - if selected. Thankfully I was and able to play my part in the win.
"I played the whole game and was a bit tired towards the end but that is to be expected considering I've hardly played. To be involved in a couple of goals just made the night for me."
International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers
