Liam Boyce overjoyed with first Northern Ireland goal

Liam Boyce described the feeling of scoring his first international goal as "unreal" after netting the winner for Northern Ireland against New Zealand.

The Ross County striker transferred his prolific club form onto the international stage to beat the All Whites in the friendly in Belfast.

"My family were all in the stands so to score in front of all of the fans and hear the noise of a goal was unreal.

"I thought I took my goal well, it's a brilliant feeling," Boyce said.

Boyce was unlucky to be omitted from Michael O'Neill's squad for the Euro 2016 finals but finished this season as the Scottish Premier League's top-scorer with 23 goals, including 10 in his last 10 games.

With forwards Conor Washington and Jamie Ward out injured, Boyce seized his chance and said the early goal after just six minutes was exactly what he wanted.

"The form I've been in you want to get a goal as early as possible and try to add to that," said Boyce.

"I cut inside and hit it well between the defender's legs and once that happens, more than likely it's going to go in."

Boyce is determined to make an impact in Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier away to Azerbaijan on 10 June by scoring his first competitive goal.

"It's not so long ago I was playing in the Irish League and I want to show I'm better than that and see how far I can go in football," added the ex-Cliftonville man.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill described Boyce's display as evidence of "a player on top of his game".

He admitted he was "slightly disappointed" the team did not add further to their tally.

"It was a physical game, a demanding game, which was exactly what we wanted.

"It leaves us in a good place for next week."