Sat 28 May
Time to read: 2mins
Derby County’s Chris Baird has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the 2016 UEFA European Championships in France.
The 34-year-old, capable of playing in defence or midfield, has 77 international caps to his name and featured prominently in the Green & White Army’s successful qualification campaign.
Baird made 16 appearances for Derby in the 2015/16 season after joining from West Bromwich Albion last summer.
He spent the latter stages of the season on loan at fellow Sky Bet Championship side Fulham before being recalled ahead of the Rams’ Play-Off campaign.
Michael O’Neill’s side are in the same group as World Champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine in France - and will sign off for the tournament with a friendly against Slovakia on Saturday 4th June 2016.
Speaking after Northern Ireland’s 3-0 friendly win over Belarus last night, Baird says the entire squad are going to enjoy every second of their first major tournament in 30 years.
He said: “I wasn’t sure we would ever experience this (going to a major tournament) in my Northern Ireland career because we had some hard and tough times.
“We stuck at it and we have the right man behind us in Michael O’Neill; he has done wonders for the nation. I know he says it is about the players but credit goes to him.
“We’re going to go to France and enjoy it. The fans have stuck with us in the good and bad times.”
