Chris Baird looked in good form as Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in Belfast last night.
Baird played the majority of this friendly at right back, a positioned he struggled to master during Lawrie Sanchez’s reign at Fulham, and looked comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle. Aaron Hughes also played and was his usual composed self at the heart of the home defence.
Nigel Worthington’s side went ahead thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Grant McCann but were pegged back by a poacher’s finish from Elyaniv Barda, who Fulham and several other Premier League scouts were rumoured to be watching at Windsor Park last night. The Genk striker cleverly lifted his shot over former Fulham goalkeeeper Maik Taylor for the equaliser.
