Fergie guttedafter draw

The left-winger, who returned to Michael O’Neill’s side after he missed their opening qualifying defeat in Russia, states that he and his team-mates need to re-group and get ready for next month’s clash in Portugal.

“Yeah it was disappointing and the lads in the dressing room feel like we had lost the game,” conceded Ferguson.

“We had plenty of chances and we should have taken them, but that’s football; we just have to keep working hard and hopefully get a decent result now in Portugal, we all have to stick together and hopefully we can get a result.”

Despite the draw, the Newcastle United man felt there were some positives to take from the Windsor Park encounter.

“There was a lot of good individual performances, but it was unfortunate that it just didn’t click, but hopefully now we can get together again in a few weeks and we’ll bounce back.

“There was a lot more creatively and there’s a lot of young boys coming through and they are showing what they can do, so just hopefully now we can take our chances in the next game.”

The 21-year-old was desperate to help Northern Ireland get their first victory under Michael O’Neill’s tendership.

“We really wanted to do well for the boss, it was a bit of bad luck with their goal, it was a deflection, but we just have to stick together as a team and hopefully it will come.

“He has been fantastic and he has given me a chance and all the lads are getting on really well with him, there is a good spirit in the camp.

“Our confidence is always really high; the way we train all the lads are really close and that’s the main thing because we have to stick together.”

Tuesday night’s qualifier was Ferguson first senior competitive game for Northern Ireland, but he feels he’s more than settled into international football.

“All the lads have made me feel welcomed when I came and the fans have been brilliant and it’s just great to be playing for Northern Ireland,” conceded the Londonderry man.