CYRUS CHRISTIE MODESTLY said there was “a bit of luck” about the goal that set Ireland on the road to victory.
Christie broke the deadlock against Gibraltar with a fine finish — his first international goal coming after just 26 minutes of his competitive debut.
Captain Robbie Keane added two more after the break, and Shane Long headed a fourth, as Martin O’Neill’s side leapfrogged Scotland into third place in Group D.
“I was delighted to score a goal and get the ball rolling,” Christie told RTÉ after an assured performance.
It was going to be a tough game. They were always going to drop off and make it hard for us.
“We needed the breakthrough and I managed to get myself a goal and the lads went on from there.”
Ireland’s opener came when Christie combined twice with Wes Hoolahan out wide before driving into the box and finishing smartly into the far corner.
“You know if you give Wes the ball, it’s going to stick with him and you’re going to get it back. He’s a creative player, he’s a top player.
“I knew in my mind that I wanted to get into the box. I saw it open up when I dropped inside, and then it opened up again. I was going to cross it and then I saw it open up again and thankfully managed to get it in the bottom corner.
I think there was a bit of luck. I’m not the most prolific as you can see from my club career but like I said, I’m happy to get a goal and make my debut for Ireland in a competitive game.
Christie has only made one start for Derby County this season, but with Seamus Coleman rested as a precaution, O’Neill was happy to hand the 22-year-old his second international cap.
“I knew yesterday that Seamus was feeling his hamstring a bit and the manager came up to me and told me to get ready and get my head in the game.
“I haven’t really played this season with Derby. It’s been a tough period for me and to go out there and play 90 minutes, it was great for me, and obviously to play in front of a lot of Ireland fans and on TV and play well.”
Originally published Friday at 10.20pm
