Northern Ireland

Success of Northern Ireland penalty hero Liam Boyce 'never in doubt' says former Cliftonville coach

Liam Boyce scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out at the end of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Picture by AP Photo/Kemal Softic
Liam Boyce scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out at the end of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Picture by AP Photo/Kemal Softic Liam Boyce scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out at the end of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Picture by AP Photo/Kemal Softic

THE success being enjoyed by Northern Ireland penalty hero Liam Boyce was "never in doubt", his former coach said last night.

The west Belfast-born player netted the crucial final spot kick against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday night to secure a place in a European Championship play-off final.

Brought on as a substitute at the end of extra-time as the teams were locked together at 1-1, just minutes later the 29-year-old from Turf Lodge took the fifth and final penalty in a nerve-racking shoot-out as players and fans held their breaths.

The Hearts striker put Northern Ireland through to face Slovakia at Windsor Park next month for a coveted place at the Euros.

On the same night, Slovakia ended the Republic of Ireland's hopes of making it a dream match-up in Belfast by winning a penalty shoot-out in the other play-off semi-final in Bratislava.

For those who know Boyce and have worked alongside him as his footballing career flourished, his penalty goal was a "proud" moment.

Gerard Lyttle, who was coach at Cliftonville during Boyce's second spell at the north Belfast club, said the player "deserves the success".

"I'm delighted for him, Liam is such a likeable guy and just wants to play football," he said.

A former pupil of St Mary's Grammar School on the Glen Road, Boyce played for west Belfast-based Immaculata during his youth years.

He began his senior career with Cliftonville, scoring 19 goals in his debut season.

Following a spell with German side Werder Bremen, he returned to the north Belfast club before joining Ross County and Burton Albion.

In January he made a £150,000 switch to Scottish Premier League club Hearts on a three-and-a-half year deal.

And on Thursday, he became the hero of the hour for Northern Ireland as he earned his 22nd cap.

"As soon as I saw him walking up to the penalty spot, I knew he would score," said Mr Lyttle.

"Liam has a confidence about him, that has never changed, and he's a fantastic goal scorer.

"There was never any doubt in my mind - he never misses."

Mr Lyttle, who coached Boyce alongside the late Tommy Breslin, said his love of the game drives him to success.

"I worked with him during his second spell at Cliftonville, we had a great relationship with him," he said.

"He had come back from Werder Bremen after it didn't work out for him. He could have been deflated, but he took the league by storm - his technical ability and scoring goals, he reinvented himself.

"For someone else, they could have given up, but Liam is a confident player and always hard-working.

"But above all he just loves football."

Watching him score on Thursday night to put Northern Ireland on course for a second consecutive European finals, Mr Lyttle added: "I was very proud of him.

"It makes you very proud when you look and see former Irish League players out there. We don't get enough credit in the Irish League for players such as Liam and Gavin Whyte.

"For me, it was never in doubt that he was going to do well, he deserves the success."