Former Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt described the upcoming friendly against Wales as ridiculous. Michael O'Neill's side are scheduled to face the Welsh team on Tuesday following their recent friendly against Andorra. Brunt suggested that the fixture served little purpose for the national team's development, according to Sky Sports.
The former West Bromwich Albion player questioned the wisdom of Uefa for mandating the match during the international window. He noted that the fixture represents a complete dead rubber for both nations. The Northern Ireland manager, Michael O'Neill, has used recent matches to integrate younger players into the senior squad, per the Irish FA.
Northern Ireland drew 0-0 with Andorra in their previous outing before preparing for the trip to Cardiff. Brunt earned 65 caps for his country during a career that included a goal against San Marino. He currently works within the coaching setup at West Bromwich Albion, according to the club's official website. The match against Wales remains part of the coordinated international calendar.
