Mum will be crying tears of joy after my clean sheet on debut, says NI’s Maddy Harvey-Clifford

Albania 0 Northern Ireland 4

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford after making her debut in the 4-0 defeat of Albania

Northern Ireland's Simone Magill celebrates scoring against Albania

Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby during her side's win over Albania

Northern Ireland goal scorers Megan Bell, Danielle Maxwell and Simone Magill

Northern Ireland players celebrate with Keri Halliday after defeating Albania

Maddy Harvey-Clifford paid tribute to her family after a memorable international debut in Northern Ireland’s wonderful 4-0 Women’s Nations League victory over Albania.

A surprise inclusion after being handed a first call-up by Tanya Oxtoby the Crusaders Strikers goalkeeper made it a special night in Tirana as she marked her international bow with a clean sheet and admitted that it will have been an emotional occasion at home.

Although rarely called upon as Oxtoby largely got the 90-minute performance that she had demanded from her team, Harvey-Clifford made an excellent save to deny Fortesa Berisha a consolation goal seven minutes from time to earn her shut-out.

Before that Simone Magill struck the first goal just before half-time.

Northern Ireland then flew out of the blocks as Magill doubled the lead 56 seconds after the restart and created several chances to really hammer home the advantage after Danielle Maxwell hit the third in the 56th minute.

Even Megan Bell adding a fourth goal five minutes from didn’t flatter Northern Ireland in any way.

It could have been a much more comprehensive victory such was the standard that Northern Ireland maintained throughout the game.

The result — and more importantly the performance — will raise confidence and belief immensely before Tuesday’s meeting with the