Lafferty is delighted 
to be back in NI squad

Lafferty is also doing what he does best, playing football on a more regular basis, after joining Championship side Rotherham United on loan for the remainder of the season from Premier League out-fit Burnley.

But having not played much this season Lafferty goes into this week’s game looking to play with no fear.

“Back playing games has given me a stronger platform to push to get into the Northern Ireland squad; I haven’t been in the last two squads, so I’m just happy to be back involved again,” he insisted.

“It’s a good time to be involved in the international squad, as the team is going well, so it will be nice to get back involved with all the boys again.

“I’m going in with no expectancy and I’m just going in to try and enjoy it, hopefully do well and impress Michael and hope to get game time on the pitch whether it’s against Scotland or Finland and that’s what I’m aiming to do.”

Yes while he hopes to get some minutes on the pitch this week, he knows that the Finland game at Windsor Park is the ‘big one’ and he wants the Green and White Army to play their part on Sunday.

“We are second in the group after four games and because of that it’s a massive game,” he added.

“I think Finland have been quite unlucky in some games and they could possibly have had a few more points, so it’s going to be a very tough game.

“So if we can get a good positive result by getting the three points at home, which is only our second at Windsor Park that would be great, as we want to try and make Windsor a fortress in this campaign, so hopefully we can have an intimidating atmosphere and I’m sure our support, which is always great, will do that.

“We have picked up some great points on the road away to Hungary and Greece, so we want to build on those positive away performances with a good home win.”