David Healy insists Northern Ireland players have to dig themselves out of Nations League hole

David Healy insists Northern Ireland have to dig themselves out of the hole they are currently wedged in.

Sunday's goalless stalemate against Cyprus was the latest drab performance from Ian Baraclough's side.

It now makes it 12 games without victory in the UEFA Nations League and follows Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Greece.

Cyprus vs Northern Ireland as it happened in the Nations League

Healy has experienced barren runs with Northern Ireland, where goals and wins were impossible to come by.

And he doesn't want to see Baraclough's current squad endure the same torment.

"We need to win games, whether they're friendlies or competitive games. That breeds confidence and gives people expectation and hope. That's where we're at right now," Healy told Premier Sports.

"I have been on the end of long runs and droughts, where you feel you will never win a game. We don't want to go back to that stage.

"We have a full house nearly every time we play at Windsor Park. That is important for the players that we keep that. But you only keep that if you're winning games, and at the minute that's not happening.

"We have a fantastic, loyal support home and away. We have another away game on Thursday and a home game next Sunday, and hopefully we don't need that much of a pick up.

"But the players and staff might need one, and they might have to rely on the supporters."

Northern Ireland's best chance of Sunday's game in Larnaca fell to substitute Ali McCann, but the midfielder somehow bundled the ball wide of the target from about four yards out.

"He'll be disappointed," Healy added.

"Conor McMenamin plays in a great ball and I think it maybe comes off Ali's shin pad or his calf.

"He will be really disappointed because he is technically a very