Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody joins Northern Ireland for training

Northern Ireland players warmed up for their crucial top-two European Qualifying clash with Romania by hosting the frontman of Snow Patrol at training.

Gary Lightbody was invited to take part in the session at Windsor Park on Thursday having met NI coach Austin MacPhee while playing football in Los Angeles earlier this year.

"Michael O'Neill, or the gaffer as I call him now, said it was fine" explained Lightbody to Sky Sports News HQ.

"I got to wear the Northern Ireland shirt at Windsor Park and I also scored! It was a dream come true."

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Asked if there had been a singalong on the bus while making their way to training, Lightbody said, "Some of the lads started singing my songs which was nice."

"It was like listening to a CD," joked midfielder Oliver Norwood. "It's great that people like him want to be involved with our group. It gives us a lift."

Victory for Northern Ireland would move them top of Group F with four games remaining.

"With the other teams playing each other (Finland v Hungary) it's massive and maybe we could have a little dream if we get three points," added Norwood.

With Northern Ireland hitting the right notes in qualifying Lightbody says he would happily record a European Championships song to mark the achievement should they progress.

Watch Northern Ireland v Romania live on Sky Sports 5 from 7.30pm on Saturday.