Michael O'Neill 'Hugely Proud' Of NI Victory Against Ukraine

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has said that he is "hugely proud" of his team following their 2-0 victory against Ukraine on Thursday, 16 June.

Goals from Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn gave Northern Ireland the victory against Ukraine in their UEFA Euro2016 Group C.

"It's a hugely proud day for me, for, I think the country as well. It's our first win I think at the European Championships finals, well it's our first time, so it must be our first win," O'Neill said.

"But the level of the performance is what I'm most proud of, the players really reacted to the defeat in the first game, and the disappointment of the first game, and I thought every one of them were magnificent."

O'Neill made five changes to the side that lost their opening game against Poland, a move he said wasn't "an easy decision".

"I've watched the game back against Poland from every camera angle that UEFA give you, which is hugely beneficial, to be honest. And I just felt that we needed to get more running power in our team," he said.

"The shape of our team was very good against Poland, but we couldn't get up the pitch, so we needed to get players that would give us that outlet, and the players that came in certainly did that, and as I say, it was a high-intensity performance, we pressed the ball very well and we played some great football as well."

(MH)