Under-fire Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough insists he's still the man for the job

Ian Baraclough insists he is still the man to lead Northern Ireland forward after criticism and questions on his future intensified after a dispiriting start to this year's Nations League campaign.

Last week’s 1-0 defeat to Greece at Windsor Park and Sunday’s uninspiring draw with Cyprus were greeted with boos and jeers by a section of supporters.

The reaction on social media after the scoreless stalemate in Larnaca was equally scathing with a raft of fans calling for the manager’s head.

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Baraclough, who succeeded Michael O’Neill in 2020 and signed a new two-year contract in December, has won just three of his 18 competitive fixtures at the helm. Or six in 24 including friendlies.

Whatever way you digest the figures above, the 51-year-old accepts he’s in the firing line. He also knows he needs a positive result in Kosovo to quell the growing discontent.

“I know you’re always running the gauntlet as a manager but that’s not for me to discuss, otherwise it detracts from where your focus should be,” said Baraclough.

“There will always be question marks and people will always question what you do, but I’ve got the confidence that we are on the right track.

“I’m in a position where you’re always being criticised and questioned and I understand when you don’t win games of football, you get criticised.”

Has it been difficult to block out the flak and personal barbs in recent days?

“I’m not on social media and I don’t read the papers,” he said. “I concentrate on what we can do to improve.

“If I was more focused on what was being said about me, I don’t think you’d be doing your job properly, so for me it’s noise in the background.

“We’re all