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Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland vs Kazakhstan: Jonny Evans urges young guns to continue fearless approach

Jonny Evans has urged Northern Ireland's young guns to continue their fearless approach on the international stage.

Michael O'Neill was missing 10 regulars against Denmark on Friday night, with six Under 21 players featuring in a 1-0 defeat in Copenhagen.

The fledgling stars stepped up to the plate and almost snatched a late point at the Parken Stadium, only for teenage striker Callum Marshall's injury time equaliser to be ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.

Read more: N Ireland vs Kazakhstan TV and live stream info for Monday's game

"The young lads have been brilliant. I thought Isaac (Price) was fantastic on Friday night, especially in the first half," experienced defender Evans said.

"He ran, which sometimes people don't understand the work-rate he put in and the challenges he made. Also his touches and all-round play.

"Young players give you that. They have no fear and take the ball and try things and stand up to the challenges.

"You saw Dale's (Taylor) skill when he came on, and then Callum with the disallowed goal. So it is good to see them step up and come on and express themselves."

Evans added: “I was impressed with the young lads during the game. I thought they were very good, especially in forward areas.

“It’s always exciting when you get the young lads coming in and they give you that bit of a goal threat and all the players that came off the bench did very well.

“Their all-round play, they looked very mature I have to say. Dale has played a bit of senior football in England in the last couple of months and you can see that in his game, even for being such a young age, he looks like a man already."

Northern Ireland return to Belfast for the second instalment of this month's Euro qualifiers. Kazakhstan are the visitors to Windsor Park, a side who beat Denmark 3-2 back in March.

With a passionate home support behind them, Evans accepts there will be more pressure on the hosts to deliver a big performance.

“We get that at home. When you play at home you have to take the game to the opposition a bit more, there’s no doubt about that," he added.

“We will be expecting to do that. We expect to have a little bit more control in the game in terms of having the ball in possession, and we have to be able to make that count."

He added: "Our home form over the years has been something we've relied on. It's a big game against Kazakhstan on Monday now but at Windsor Park we've risen to the occasion before and I think everyone is looking forward to getting out there."

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