NORTHERN IRELAND manager Michael O’Neill wants his team’s first-half performance against Belarus on Saturday night to serve as a blueprint going forward — even if they did not get their rewards in a goalless Nations League draw in Hungary.

The opening 45 minutes saw Northern Ireland pour forward with 12 attempts at goal, seeing two strikes disallowed and an Eoin Toal header come back off the post as they did everything but score.

Conor Bradley — captain on the night — again delivered a performance full of attacking intent, Trai Hume played a series of excellent passes from the right side of defence to free his team-mates, while Isaac Price and Callum Marshall were full of running in the forward positions.