NI make huge strides despite Georgia frustration

Northern Ireland drew both home games on the Nations League window 0-0 [Getty Images] Northern Ireland's first nine points in the Uefa Nations League were accumulated over the grand total of 17 games. Finishing their four-game window with a stalemate against Georgia in Group B2 ensured Michael O'Neill's side earned eight across a mere 11 days. It says plenty about the building mood around this young side that, even after what was undoubtedly their best ever Nations League window, fans filed out of Windsor Park on Monday night frustrated that it was not more. Isaac Price's saved penalty in the 83rd minute was naturally the most glaring missed opportunity to take all three points in a second consecutive goalless draw in Belfast. There had been others prior, though, with Paddy Kelly and Josh Magennis both unable to capitalise on promising positions, while Ruairi McConville hit the bar in the incident that led to the penalty. Magennis himself summed up the general mood at the final whistle when he told BBC Sport NI he was "bitterly disappointed" to take only a point from the game. When the dust settles, however, the block as a whole can only be considered a success. Two weeks ago, Northern Ireland were yet to win a game in the second tier of the Nations League and had never picked up all three points on their travels at any level of the competition. Away victories in Georgia and against Ukraine in Slovakia both felt like huge steps forward for a side whose average age was as low as 22 in the latter fixture which they won 3-0. On top of that, four successive clean sheets ensured they are the only team in the competition yet to concede a goal, all the more impressive considering that Conor Bradley remains on the sidelines and Daniel Ballard was only fit to feature in the first game. "It was a hard camp, a lot different to what any of us have experienced before, and I thought we dealt with it really well," said Fulham midfielder Shea Charles, who along with Trai Hume displayed Premier League pedigree throughout the window. "We've won two away games, drew two at home, no goals conceded, there's not many complaints. I think we've been really good." 'One of the most enjoyable windows I've had' With this new four-game window presenting something different for managers across Europe to tackle, a myriad of approaches emerged. Germany boss Jurgen Klopp named virtually two separate squads for his side's two pairs of games, while Ukraine made 10 changes between their first two games and then nine for their defeat by Northern Ireland. Having spoken before the start of the campaign about how the condensed schedule would be more difficult for smaller nations, O'Neill kept changes to a minimum. He started only different 15 players across the four games with two of his changes enforced by Ballard's injury and Ethan Galbraith's absence against Ukraine to attend the birth of his child. Despite the relatively small pool of starters, this still feels like a window when Northern Ireland's depth was tested and passed with flying colours. O'Neill was without talisman Bradley and the reliable Ali McCann coming into the window, and then lost Ballard to a hamstring injury after the first game in Tbilisi. Young centre-backs McConville, 21, and Tom Atcheson, 20, looked ready to play at this level, while Ciaron Brown started all four games and impressed too having often had to bide his time in past squads. O'Neill's praise for his squad was across the board. "For me it's been one of the most enjoyable windows I've had as an international manager, and that's been because of the players," said O'Neill. "How they've applied themselves, how desperate they are to do well, and that's a real positive. "We've a brilliant group of players and a lot of them I think will play international football for a long time." 'This team shows all the best sides of Northern Ireland' Despite what will feel like two points dropped against Georgia, the team remains top of the group before next month's concluding fixtures at home to Ukraine and away to Hungary. Topping the group, back-to-back Nations League promotions and second seeding in December's Euro 2028 qualifying draw all remain on the table. In a broader sense, the past 11 days have served to heighten the growing excitement about the team's direction of travel. "I know what the potential of this team is, I'm not always going to share that with you guys if I'm honest," said O'Neill. "For me the team is maturing and growing and progressing all the time. It's good that the fans are excited, that's what we want. We want them to look at this team and be proud. "I know these boys over the last two or three years, I've seen them grow. I see them with each other, which is really important and this team shows all the best sides of Northern Ireland."