Over the international break a total of Eight City players played for their respective national sides. All gaining valuable experience at a high level.
Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker where both in action for Scotland. Both Russ and Whitts played in the 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Wednesday, with Martin playing 45 minutes for the tartan army and Whittaker playing for 78 minutes. Martin was also in attendance as Scotland took on Gibraltar in a Euro 2016 Qualifier. Martin’s Scotland conceded Gibraltar’s first ever goal early on, however they managed to turn it round and ended up 6-1 Winners. Martin found himself the only central defender in Gordon Strachan’s side, with the ex-Celtic and Middlesborough manager fielding a very different team that favoured attack over defence. Whittaker was one of those who faced the axe, not playing at all during the match.
Another Canary was in Group D action for their country this week. Wes Hoolahan played the full 90 minutes as the Republic of Ireland rescued a late draw against Poland in Dublin. Hoolahan played a vital role in the republic’s dramatic late equaliser, heading the ball on to Shane Long who then chipped it over Lukas Fabianski to salvage a point.
Alex Tettey was also in action for Norway in European Qualifying action. Tetley’s Norway however where on the end of a 5-1 drubbing by Croatia in Group H. The only shining light of the evening was a goal for Alex, cooly slotting in late on, but in all truth the game was pretty much up by that point.
Martin Olsson was in action for Sweden as well, the left back playing the full 90 minutes as Sweden beat Moldova 2-0 to lift the Swedes up to 2nd in Group H.
On the youth front two players where in action. Harry Toffolo made his England U20 debut on Sunday, helping the Three Lions to defeat the USA 2-1. Toffolo played the full 90 minutes for the young lions, after manager Aidy Boothroyd left him on the bench for the draw with Mexico. Nathan Redmond was also in action for the England U21’s. Redmond played the full 90 minutes as Gareth Southgate’s men beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in Prague on Friday, before heading to Middlesborough’s Riverside Stadium to face off against Germany. After going 2-1 down to the Germans, Redmond scored late on to equalise for the Three Lions. Before James Ward-Prouse got a late winner to turn it round for England. Redmond managed the put the ball through the defender’s legs, the ball then deflected and west past stranded Barcelona ‘keeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The Under 21’s now have an impressive run of form going into this summer’s European Championships in the Czech Republic.
The only other player to feature this week was currently on-loan striker Kyle Lafferty. Lafferty was in great form for Northern Ireland, netting two vital goals against Finland that leaves them on 12 points in group F, leaving them in a good position to qualify for the finals in France. Kyle’s goal brought up the argument of why we loaned him out to Rizespor in the first place. He looked right at home in his favoured position of a centre forward, a position where he was not given the chance to perform in at Norwich. With the injury to Lewis Grabban Norwich now only have 2 main fit strikers in Gary Hooper and Cameron Jerome, so would Lafferty returning be a great idea? Personally I think him staying in Turkey and returning for next season would be the best plan, giving him a lot of first team football in what is actually quite a competitive league, featuring the like of Galatasaray and Fenerbache.
So now after the international break, attention turns to the hectic easter period. With 3 very important games in the near future, Norwich’s international stars need to be back to fitness and convert good international form into good club form.
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