 Kyle Lafferty celebrates his goal against Finland |
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is hoping Burnley youngster Kyle Lafferty can follow in the footsteps of record goalscorer David Healy. Lafferty scored his first international goal and Healy his 20th in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly win away to Finland.
"We need some new blood to freshen things up and it is great to have Kyle coming through because we do not have many big lads," said Sanchez.
"Maybe Kyle can get somewhere near David's record in the future."
Sanchez was looking ahead to the opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Iceland on 2 September.
"It was a good workout for us - a competitive game for a friendly in August," added the NI manager.
"I thought we controlled the game quite well but it will not count for anything in two weeks if we do not win our first game."
Eighteen-year-old Lafferty, from Kesh in County Fermanagh, admitted his recent breakthrough into the Northern Ireland team had been daunting.
"Things have happened quickly in the last few weeks, playing in the Milk Cup, then for Burnley and now here," he said.
"I cannot believe I am playing with these guys at 18 and to get the goal was incredible.
"My aim now is to get in the squad for the qualifiers, then see what happens."
Aston Villa defender Aaron Hughes, who handed the skipper's armband to Healy who was celebrating his 50th cap, was encouraged by the display in Helsinki.
"We caused Finland problems and were in as much control as they were," said Hughes.
"The thing now is to take this into the qualifiers. If we can put in performances like that we have every chance of doing something in our group."
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Interview: NI boss Lawrie Sanchez