Legendary NI boss Billy Bingham turned us into a 'band of brothers', says Gerry Armstrong

Gerry Armstrong has praised legendary former Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham for engendering a “band of brothers” spirit in his famous teams of the early-1980s.

The former Spurs striker also believes Bingham, who passed away on Friday at the age of 90, will be remembered as his country’s “greatest ever manager”.

Bingham, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, managed Northern Ireland at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups in Spain and Mexico respectively.

Martin O'Neill thanks legendary NI boss Billy Bingham for gifting him "incredibly special" times

Armstrong wrote his name into folklore at the 1982 finals, scoring three goals in five games, including an iconic winner in a shock 1-0 victory over the Spanish in Valencia.

“We were a band of brothers and that was down to Billy,” said Gerry, who was also voted Britain’s greatest player at the tournament.

“He was a clever manager but he also knew how to fire us up. He would say very simple but effective things before games like ‘this is our moment’. He made us believe in ourselves.

“Looking back, he worked wonders during his time in charge and he was Northern Ireland’s greatest ever manager. I can’t pay him a higher tribute than that.

“Not only did he lead us to two World Cups, he won two British Championships and also went close to qualifying for the 1984 European Championships at the expense of West Germany.

“He achieved so much in a short space of time.”

Armstrong had played as a striker in 1982 World Cup qualifying but the emergence of Manchester United teenage sensation Norman Whiteside forced a tactical rethink.

Whiteside had played only two games for his club but impressed in training and was handed his international debut in a scoreless draw with Yugoslavia