'THIS is a game as big as any I can remember.'
Former Northern Ireland striker Iain Dowie’s age and experience add weight to that comment about the importance of tonight’s visit of Germany.
It’s not just the nature of the opponents but also the 54-year-old’s assessment of the hosts’ chances of taking something out of the match.
“If we’re to win this game, and I don’t think that’s beyond this team…Germany know this is not a given. It’s set up – if we get one result, or a couple of draws, and we’re in an unbelievable position.
“What an occasion. Everyone talks about the England and Spain games but this is a game as big as any I can remember.”
Interestingly, Dowie’s optimism came even before Germany suffered a rare home competitive defeat, admittedly against a highly-rated Netherlands side, who won 4-2 in Hamburg.
Dowie said his positivity was “an indication of how much Michael [O’Neill] has moved Northern Ireland forward. We’re very difficult to beat but we also play in a way that is pleasing on the eye.”
As ever, Northern Ireland will wonder who’s going to find the net for them, as Dowie did 12 times in the Nineties.
However, he sees that as the only worry about this team: “The concern is goals – where is that David Healy, Kyle Lafferty, whoever? We need someone to pop up.
“That’s his [O’Neill’s] only concern. Everywhere else, the centre back partnership might be as good as any… People talk about Harry Maguire – but who else alongside him? We know it’s going to be Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart? Is there better than that? I don’t think there is.”
Even one perceived downside, Oliver Norwood’s decision to withdraw from the international scene, could have an upside, Dowie argues: “I love Oliver Norwood, but it’s incredible that he’s played 50-odd games and not got a goal. Whatever has gone on there, I dunno.”
Dowie sees more goal-scoring threat from other midfielders: “Gavin Whyte, historically he gets goals, Steven Davis can too.
“George Saville is good footballer, he adds something different, that’s part of what Michael has done.
“Given full-back situation, Jamal Lewis bombs up down and maybe Stuart Dallas, we’ll see, that brings a bit of spark and energy.”
Dowie, who will be commenting on the game for Sky Sports, was back in Belfast over the weekend in support of Jeff Stelling’s four marathons in four days to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“I lost both my parents to different types of cancer, so cancer is very close to my heart. My wife has her own charity, ‘Boot Out Breast Cancer’.
“Jeff was telling me about prostate cancer and how many men it affects. Being involved in Soccer Saturday, it was an absolute honour and delight to come and be involved, at a place I know so well and love to come to as often as I can.”
Speaking at Seaview, home of Crusaders, before heading on to Solitude, then the Oval, ending up at Windsor Park, Dowie said: “To walk around all the Irish League clubs in Belfast is fantastic.
“It’s nice to start at a place where some friends of mine played and have links. Alan McDonald really comes to mind – when you think about Alan and his involvement in the Irish League in general.
“Irish League clubs have been such a big testing ground for so many players who made it over the water.”
He also recalled with a wry grin a clash – or two – with a Cliftonville legend during his playing days: “Southampton played a pre-season friendly at Solitude, me and Marty Tabb played against each other, we had some fun. We always got on – we had a couple of moments on the day.
“We managed to sneak out of there with a 2-1 win, it was lively. I did get one [goal] myself, it was a lively reception to say the least, for some of us anyway”.
