Slovakia v Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell on NI’s ‘strongest’ squad yet

The on-loan Blackpool goalkeeper returned to the starting team for the World Cup qualifiers due to a shoulder injury that has kept Pierce Charles out of the last four games.

With Conor Hazard and Luke Southwood also waiting in the wings, competition for the number one jersey is fierce and Peacock-Farrell feels it is up to him to retain his place in the team.

“I have this opportunity now and Pierce got that opportunity when I got injured and he took that opportunity and that was fair to him,” he added.

“When Pierce comes back we’ll have myself, Pierce, Conor and Luke. We’ve got a great group for Michael to choose from, so it’s just a matter of doing what you can control and that’s your performances at club level and in the Northern Ireland jersey.”

Northern Ireland’s 2–0 victory over Slovakia at Windsor Park is regarded as one of the best performances in both of Michael O’Neill’s spells.

But there is no guarantee it will be a similar story in Kosice, with Peacock-Farrell admitting it will potentially be “busier”.

“They’ll get some key players back, we’re missing a few key players but I think they’ll also be mindful of the fact that after we beat Germany we did a lot of damage to them in terms of how we let them down in real life.

“We were incredible against Slovakia and very difficult against Germany. We’re actually in pretty good form and playing very well.

“Away games are difficult in international football but we don’t worry about that, we are aware of their qualities as in every game but when I look back at my whole career in Northern Ireland, I look at this team and it’s really very promising and exciting.

“There is so much belief, enthusiasm and overall talent in this team. It’s great to be a part of.”