Northern Ireland keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell laments a lack of luck for poor run in Euro qualifiers

Bailey Peacock-Farrell (right) and Conor McMenamin after Northern Ireland's defeat to Slovenia

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell says he felt sorry for teenager Shea Charles after the midfielder was sent off during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Slovenia at Windsor Park.

The Southampton star has been one of the bright lights over the past year when results on the international scene have been bleak and was showing his quality once again in the latest Euro 2024 qualifier before being dismissed in the second-half.

“I felt for Shea. It’s really unfortunate he got sent off because he is such a key player in the way that we play,” said Peacock-Farrell.

“He’s a top, top player and I can’t wait to see how his career develops.

“That being said, I thought the team did really well coping with 10 men and still being able to create some chances, which is a shining light on the situation.”

Northern Ireland have only six points from 24 in the campaign though Peacock-Farrell, on loan from Burnley with Aarhus in Denmark, insists it is not all doom and gloom.

He said: “It was our third 1-0 defeat at home in the campaign. It’s really strange because we were in all those games up until the last minute and we were creating really good opportunities.

“We are playing some really good football, but it’s just that one per cent maybe or a bit of luck not going our way.

“If we’d had that, it could have been a completely different campaign, a different story if just a few things went our way, but you have to expect that as a part of football.

“You can see we’re playing a different style of football, it’s a new team and you can see the positive impact all these players are having on the team.

“That in itself is a real positive, but