Northern Ireland Men's Football Team

Image source, Press Eye

Ahead of Saturday's meeting between Northern Ireland and Denmark, let's take you back to the last time these two sides played.

Michael O'Neill's side ended a poor Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high with a 2-0 win over the Danes at Windsor Park in November 2023.

Second-half goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles sealed the victory against the visitor who had already secured their place in the Euros.

As a result, they rested a few big names for the Windsor Park encounter, with Manchester United pair Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen already missing out through injury.

That didn't make the much-needed victory any less sweet for the Northern Ireland players and supporters, however, with the Green and White Army bursting into life for the majority of the second half of a game in which there was little more than pride at stake.

Read our match report from that night.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, PressEye

Experienced striker Josh Magennis is targeting a Northern Ireland return, admitting he can "never be comfortable" with being left out of a squad.

Manager Michael O'Neill omitted the 34-year-old frontman from March's friendlies to assess new forward options, but said the door would remain open for Magennis.

Hip surgery has ruled Magennis out of June's games with Denmark and Iceland. but the Exeter City forward is aiming for a return when World Cup qualifying begins in September.

"You can never be comfortable being left out of a squad," said Magennis, who has 12 goals in 82 Northern Ireland caps.

"That's your own selfish ego, but you have to try and see the bigger picture.

"Similar happened to me when I came into the squad, when Michael wanted to see me but there were other players before me and he knew what they could do."

Magennis added that he still "has got a lot to offer" his country after scoring 12 goals in all competitions for League One side Exeter during the 2024-25 season.

"It's up to me to continue to perform and keep my head down, and be ready to go whenever that opportunity comes again," Magennis added.

"I still feel like I've got a lot to offer. I feel like I'm progressing and doing well, so I'm not slowing down any time soon."

While recovering from surgery, Magennis is undertaking a coach education course with the Irish FA and working on his coaching badges, and says "it's a passion that I've got" when his playing career comes to a close.

"I'll continue to play as long as I possibly can. I'm still enjoying playing football, but unfortunately in every dream you have to wake up and for me that's getting closer and closer as the seasons go on.

"It's a passion I've got now to understand the game, learn the game and develop players as much as I can."

Image source, Presseye

David Healy, a former team-mate of Steven Davis with both Rangers and Northern Ireland, has said the former midfielder would be "an asset" if he were to become part of the backroom staff at the Scottish Premiership giants.

Davis has been linked with a coaching role at Rangers should Steven Gerrard return for a second spell as boss.

Gerrard is understood to be one of the leading contenders to take charge after Barry Ferguson's interim term in charge came to an end.

Davis was put in temporary control of first-team affairs following the departure of former manager Michael Beale in October 2023.

The 40-year-old was caretaker boss for two games, a Europa League defeat by Aris Limassol and a league win over St Mirren, before Philippe Clement was appointed to the position on a permanent basis.

As a player, Davis made a total of 239 appearances for Rangers during two spells with the club.

"Steve has had the privilege and the honour of being in [at Rangers as a coach] for a little bit and I don't think it fazed him," said Northern Ireland's record men's international goalscorer Healy.

"I don't think anything ever fazed Steve as a player or as a person. He's pretty relaxed, he's pretty comfortable in his own tone and what he wants to say.

"If Rangers feel, when the new manager comes in, whoever he's going to be, feels there's an opportunity for Steve to go in. I think Steve would be an asset to have at Rangers, no matter who the manager is."

Davis is currently part of Michael O'Neill's backroom set-up with Northern Ireland, for whom he won a record 140 caps.

"I know he's going through the process at the minute where he's going to do his coaching badges," said O'Neill.

"He's going through the process of learning and, for me, there is no better role model or apprenticeship than to be working with or in and around Michael O'Neill, who is an incredibly talented coach."