Brad Lyons, the Northern Ireland midfielder, expressed gratitude to his family for their support during his recent return to the starting squad. The Kilmarnock captain earned his first international start in over two years during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Slovakia. Despite the team suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat, the experience was significant for Lyons.
Emotional Moments
Lyons described this occasion as the “proudest moment” of his life, especially with his fiancée Aishlyn and their three-month-old son Theo watching from home. He shared, “My fiancée surprised me with a Northern Ireland kit for Theo, which made it even more special.” The support from his family has been a crucial factor in his performance, as he noted, “Without them, I couldn’t do this.”
Injury and Suspension Challenges
With injuries affecting key players like Shea Charles and Ali McCann, and George Saville facing suspension after accruing two bookings, Lyons is hopeful for another start. The upcoming match against Luxembourg at Windsor Park is set for Monday night at 19:45 GMT.
Looking Ahead
Northern Ireland has already secured a World Cup play-off spot through the Nations League. While the final qualifying fixture won’t impact their seeding for the play-off in March, Lyons emphasizes the importance of maintaining team spirit. “I think Monday night is massive,” he stated. “We want to put on a good performance and demonstrate to the fans what this means to us.”
Future Focus
Despite the disappointment of the loss to Slovakia, Lyons maintains a positive outlook as the team prepares for their crucial match against Luxembourg. “Yes, it’s disappointing to lose, but all focus is on the play-off, and it begins on Monday night,” he added.
