but it's been a whirlwind few months for manager ian baraclough. englishman would become the non—northern irishman to lead the team to a major championship. i think most people are looking forward to it and are excited to the occasion. we have had experiences over the last four or five years, big games, being in a play—off situation before for the world cup. i think the lads like you say are looking forward to it and excited for the outcome. let's have a quick look at some of the day's other headlines. british cycling have sacked senior sprint coach kevin stewart for gross misconduct and what it calls a long—term pattern of inappropriate relationships with riders. stewart, in the blue t—shirt on the left, was dismissed after repeated warnings about his conduct. he has apologised "wholeheartedly". cyclist dylan groenewegen has been banned for nine months after causing a crash that left his competitor fabiojakobsen in a coma. jakobsen needed facial reconstruction surgery after the crash during the tour of poland. neither rider has raced since, with j

just five months after taking charge, ian baraclough needed something special from his side. with time running out, paddy mcnair provided it. his cross turned in by milan skriniar. northern ireland deservedly level, their qualification hopes alive. remarkably, a place at the euros was almost sealed moments later. kyle lafferty denied by the post as the match went into extra time. but with penalties looming, heartbreak for the hosts. duris putting slovakia back in front. jonny evans had a last—gasp chance, but northern ireland's dream was over. hoping to become heroes. 22 years after their last major tournament, could scotland's men finally reach one again? well, in a soggy belgrade, they began the underdogs against serbia, but were the better team before the break. but five minutes after the break, they were ahead. just when scotland needed a star, enter ryan christie. he's done it! cue the celebrations, and who could blame them? christie placing it to perfection. were the euros beckoning? well, it seemed that way until the 90th minute, when guess what happened? oh, it's in!

just five months after taking charge, ian baraclough needed something special from his side.

scotland boss steve clarke and his opposite number at northern ireland — ian baraclough. in due to social distancing... northern ireland ended a 30 year wait for a trip to a major finals, by reaching euro 2016 — and could now make it back to back european championships with a win later. two other games to remind you about tonight too — england play the republic of ireland in a friendly, while wales take on the usa. it really is a huge day of sport. that's because over in the usa, the masters golf gets under way later, but like never before... usually it's the first golf major of the year, in april... and so it's a year and a half, since tiger woods rolled back the years with victory to pop on a fifth greenjacket. could this be the year rory mcilroy, finally wins his first title at augusta national? well, he's not won a major since 2014 and finished in the top 10 just twice, since the tour resumed injune. us open champion, bryson de chambeau, is certainly among the favourites ahead of what will be a dramatic four days. you can watch highlights tonight on bbc two. here's ca