Hopefully it’s first of many – Jordan Jones happy to repay boss with Malta goal
Jones’ second-minute strike in Austria should keep him in Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough’s thoughts going forward.
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Jordan Jones hopes to have repaid Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough by scoring his first international goal in Sunday’s 3-0 friendly win over Malta
Jones was recalled to the squad last week, having been absent since breaching Covid regulations with Rangers last November, an incident which contributed to the 26-year-old spending the second half of the season out on loan at Sunderland.
It meant the winger missed the finale of the Euro 2020 qualifiers and the start of the World Cup campaign, but his second-minute strike in Klagenfurt should keep him in his manager’s thoughts going forward.
“To get three goals as a team was a real positive and on a personal level I’m delighted to get my first goal for the country,” Jones said.
“Hopefully it’s the first of many.
“I’ve really missed coming away with the boys and I’ve missed playing for Northern Ireland, but thankfully the gaffer has put me back in the squad and hopefully I’ve repaid him.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.”
After Jones capitalised on a mistake from Ferdinando Apap to put Northern Ireland ahead, second-half strikes from Gavin Whyte and Ali McCann, the latter also a first international goal for the St Johnstone midfielder, put the result beyond doubt.
Malta had threatened after Josh Magennis missed a penalty midway through the first half, but ultimately a side ranked 175th in the world and short of match fitness proved no match.
It meant Baraclough could finally celebrate his first win in charge inside 90 minutes at the 12th attempt, while having also seen his side score more than one goal in a game for the first time.
The opposition will get significantly tougher on Thursday when they head to Dnipro to face Euro 2020-bound Ukraine but there is plenty to build on.
“The most important thing was we got a win because I think it has been long overdue,” Jones added.
“We’ve got it now and we feel it’s time to kick on and try to get as many wins as possible.
“Even if it’s in friendlies, it still creates a winning environment and mentality and that’s what we need going forward.”