Post by QPR Report on Sept 7, 2009 16:16:19 GMT
ITV.cm
Vivid World Cup memories for McDonald
Published: Monday, 7 September 2009,
The memories of playing in a World Cup final for Northern Ireland remain as vivid today for Alan McDonald as they were 23 years ago.
That is why the former QPR defender wants the current crop of players to seize the moment and savour the experience.
McDonald will be rooting for Nigel Worthington's side on Wednesday when they can overtake leaders Slovakia, the visitors to Windsor Park for a vital qualifier.
He sees many similarities between the players today and those who arrived in Mexico in 1986 - the last time the province reached a major finals.
McDonald said: "The work ethic of this team is comparable to the side I played in. They are organised, industrious and the lads have great pride in the shirt.
"They also have some good players who seem to enjoy each other's company. They are certainly as big physically as the teams I played in if you look at the likes of Jonny Evans, Aaron Hughes, Stephen Craigan and Gareth McAuley.
"It would be fabulous to see Northern Ireland back in a major finals again. There is still a bit of work to do but the side are in with a good a chance as they've had in recent years."
McDonald was a rock at the back as the province secured the point they needed to get to Mexico by holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley in November 1985.
Although the team, managed by Billy Bingham, failed to progress in the finals, supporters still talk fondly of what they saw was a golden era.
Northern Ireland opened with a 1-1 draw against Algeria, then lost 2-1 to Spain and finally 3-0 to Brazil.
McDonald, now manager of Belfast-based Glentoran, said: "It was probably the biggest and best experience I had in my career going to Mexico. You were treated like an absolute king.
"You are up against some of the best teams in the world. When you are playing club football or international football, you want to play at the highest level. These guys have given themselves a chance of going on and doing that."
www.itv.com/sport/football/news/internationals/generalnews/vivid-world-cup-memories-for-mcdonald-237933728.html
Vivid World Cup memories for McDonald
Published: Monday, 7 September 2009,
The memories of playing in a World Cup final for Northern Ireland remain as vivid today for Alan McDonald as they were 23 years ago.
That is why the former QPR defender wants the current crop of players to seize the moment and savour the experience.
McDonald will be rooting for Nigel Worthington's side on Wednesday when they can overtake leaders Slovakia, the visitors to Windsor Park for a vital qualifier.
He sees many similarities between the players today and those who arrived in Mexico in 1986 - the last time the province reached a major finals.
McDonald said: "The work ethic of this team is comparable to the side I played in. They are organised, industrious and the lads have great pride in the shirt.
"They also have some good players who seem to enjoy each other's company. They are certainly as big physically as the teams I played in if you look at the likes of Jonny Evans, Aaron Hughes, Stephen Craigan and Gareth McAuley.
"It would be fabulous to see Northern Ireland back in a major finals again. There is still a bit of work to do but the side are in with a good a chance as they've had in recent years."
McDonald was a rock at the back as the province secured the point they needed to get to Mexico by holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley in November 1985.
Although the team, managed by Billy Bingham, failed to progress in the finals, supporters still talk fondly of what they saw was a golden era.
Northern Ireland opened with a 1-1 draw against Algeria, then lost 2-1 to Spain and finally 3-0 to Brazil.
McDonald, now manager of Belfast-based Glentoran, said: "It was probably the biggest and best experience I had in my career going to Mexico. You were treated like an absolute king.
"You are up against some of the best teams in the world. When you are playing club football or international football, you want to play at the highest level. These guys have given themselves a chance of going on and doing that."
www.itv.com/sport/football/news/internationals/generalnews/vivid-world-cup-memories-for-mcdonald-237933728.html