Back then he was a wonderful talent, with great pace and flair and he was a good crosser of the ball. But it's his maturity that stands out now and he's really developed. It's the likes of him and Aaron Hughes and Maik Taylor that are really important features of this. But then again, I think most managers at that level are good organisers, but they need something extra.

When I was in charge, we had a decent run as well. We went unbeaten away from home, grabbing unlikely draws and decent victories.

But when it came to that bit of quality down the finishing stretch you need someone that bit special, someone who can turn a draw into victory and who you can rely on for goals and much more. It's very easy to become a team that's hard to break down but to move it on to the next level, takes someone gifted. This is where I bring in David Healy.

The facts and figures speak for themselves. He's the overall top scorer in this international qualifying campaign, he's the top scorer to wear green and he has a record to match any in the world. There have always been pretenders, guys who thought they were going to kick on and be leading scorer for their country but who reached a point and fell away. That's not him. He gets better and better. I think he's a great player because he is a natural poacher and a natural finisher. He's inspired this side and given them a great chance to qualify for the European Championships, which would be a remarkable achievement.

The team has vital momentum, they are on a roll and confidence is high. There's no doubt about it, it's going to be very hard. You have got to fancy Spain still and Sweden are going to be a real threat regardless of the loss in Windsor Park on Wednesday. The hardest has yet to come. But they are resilient and they are courageous. I was in Denmark when we picked up a point and it was like Custer's last stand. They showed huge character and, importantly, from every experience they have been gaining something. That night it was the team spirit that shone through.

The support too must take massive credit. For years, I looked at the following for the Republic and it has been fantastic and I just hope something similar can happen for us. And it's going in the right direction. The following for the North is the best I have ever seen in my life. It really is sensational and that comes down to a number of people who have been very instrumental in creating what they call 'The Green Army'. It's been very special because it's very open, there has been no sectarianism or abuse. It's about supporting the players and getting behind the team whether they win or lose.

Other countries might take that for granted but we never could. I understand, and I have no problem if people support the Republic still.

But when I was in charge I just always talked about our team. Anyone who lived in Northern Ireland, I always tried to encourage them to support the team.

Taking into consideration the success of rugby and cricket, it's inevitable people will talk of an all-Ireland team in soccer as well. At the end of the day I played in such a team, I never had a problem but I've never been into the politics of sport. While it is as it is, I just say get on and make the very best of it. It's giving 22 guys from our island the opportunity to do well on the international scene. If and when the situation changes, then we can adapt and I don't think that will be a problem.

I'd have no qualms, worries or complaints but at the minute I'm taking huge pleasure in Northern Ireland doing well.

Bryan Hamilton was capped 50 times for Northern Ireland before going on to manage his country.

He is currently a TV and radio pundit In conversation with Ewan MacKenna