Corry Evans played 67 minutes of Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win against Luxembourg and will now look to be a part of their bid to overturn Germany on Monday.

Rovers midfielder Evans captained his country for the second time to win cap number 54 as a first-half own goal handed Michael O’Neill’s side victory.

They will hope to use that as a springboard take into the vital Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany at Windsor Park on Monday. Both teams currently have perfect qualifying records, with Northern Ireland on 12 points and Germany three further back, having played a game less.

The Luxembourg friendly was just a third appearance of the season for the 29-year-old, who is yet to play any Championship football for Rovers.

And he hopes getting 67 minutes under his belt as part of a young team will stand him in good stead going forward.

He added: “I think for the likes of myself and a few of the boys who haven’t played much club football, it gave us an opportunity to get up to match speed and prepare right for Monday.”

“I am one more year away from the big 30. Aaron Hughes is gone now and G (Gareth McAuley) isn’t in this squad. Also Brunty (Chris Brunt) and Chris Baird aren’t around anymore so I am one of the senior players.

“I feel I have a lot of experience and caps under my belt. We have a lot of young players coming through now. I used to be that young player and if I can help them in any way, I will try to do that.”

Boss O’Neill credited his young players with giving his side an extra sharpness and impetus as they finished strongly in the 1-0 friendly win.

Though Kevin Malget’s calamitous own goal, scored in the 37th minute, was all that separated the sides come full-time, Northern Ireland had several opportunities to add to their lead in the closing stages of the match.

The introduction of debutants Alfie McCalmont and Ethan Galbraith, plus Shayne Lavery and Liam Donnelly earning their second caps, as well as Michael McGovern and Steven Davis, who replaced Evans as captain, saw them lift their game.

And, ahead of Monday night’s clash, O’Neill said: “We’re in as good a place as we could be going into the game on Monday.

“The only thing that could be better for us is if Michael Smith or Jordan Jones or Liam Boyce were fit, but you can’t have everything.”