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Northern Ireland player ratings in goalless draw with Cyprus

BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL 6.5

Did very little wrong. Watched a first half effort crash off the crossbar and produced a crucial save to deny Cyprus substitute Tzionis a winner on the hour mark.

PADDY McNAIR 6

Read more: Cyprus vs Northern Ireland as it happened in the Nations League

Played at right-back in a 4-3-3 formation. Defended solidly and also tried to get forward, but are Northern Ireland missing his drive and mobility in midfield?

JONNY EVANS 6

Leicester City star marshalled the back four and headed wide at the start of the second half. Picked up a harsh booking for a foul on Kastanos.

CIARON BROWN 5.5

No-nonsense shift from Cardiff City defender who partnered Evans at centre-back. Relieved to see Cyprus spurn second-half chances to win the game.

PADDY LANE 5

Fleetwood Town left-back had his hands full with the lively Loizou and Christofi. Another learning curve for Lane who was eventually replaced by Brodie Spencer.

SHEA CHARLES 6.5

An assured performance on his first competitive start. At 18, he’s still learning, but hard to believe this was only his second outing in senior football.

STEVEN DAVIS 5.5

Skipper won his 136th cap playing in a midfield three alongside Saville and Charles. Tried to keep it simple on a frustrating night. Replaced by Shayne Lavery late on.

GEORGE SAVILLE 5.5

Got through a lot of work and sent an early chance over the bar from a Paddy McNair cross. A lot of effort without any real end product. Eventually replaced by Ali McCann.

NIALL McGINN 5.5

Experienced Dundee winger was used in a front three and buzzed about on the left wing. Curled a number of crosses into the Cypriot box with no reward.

GAVIN WHYTE 5.5

Tried to get on the ball and had a first half effort blocked inside the area and forced a smart save from Neofytos Michael at the start of the second period.

KYLE LAFFERTY 5.5

Kilmarnock striker was handed a start and worked hard but had no real sight of goal; more a reflection of Northern Ireland’s performance than his.

REPLACEMENTS

CONOR McMENAMIN (for Whyte, 64) 6.5

BRODIE SPENCER (Lane, 64) 6

LIAM DONNELLY (for Charles, 64) 5.5

ALI McCANN (for Saville, 71) 5.5

SHAYNE LAVERY (for Davis, 77) 6

CYPRUS: Michael, Ioannou, Katelaris (Panayioutou 46), Gogic, Christofi (Kyriakou 65), Sotiriou (Kakoulli 77), Korrea, Loizou (Tzionis 56), Artymatas, Kastanos (Papulis 65), Pittas.

REFEREE: Enea Jorgji (Albania)

Read more: Glentoran new boy: Mick McDermott and Paul Millar made me feel wanted

Read more: Coleraine announce signing of former Glenavon midfielder Jack O'Mahony

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