West Brom midfielder Isaac Price has been lauded as a "huge player" for Northern Ireland by two of the country's most celebrated former internationals, despite missing a penalty in a frustrating goalless draw with Georgia at Windsor Park.
Dallas and Healy united in their praise
Stuart Dallas and David Healy, both decorated servants of Northern Ireland football, shared their assessments of the Championship midfielder following Monday's Nations League stalemate. Their verdict was emphatic: whatever the outcome of that spot-kick, Price is a talent of genuine significance for his country.
Healy, who holds the all-time scoring record for Northern Ireland, described Price as "brilliant", while Dallas echoed that sentiment, characterising him as a "huge player" for the national set-up. The consensus from two men who understand what it takes to represent Northern Ireland at international level will carry considerable weight with supporters and will do no harm to Price's standing as he returns to club duty at The Hawthorns.
Penalty miss in context
The draw with Georgia means Northern Ireland were unable to build on what had been a positive period in their Nations League campaign. Price stepped up to take the penalty, only to see it saved or off-target, a moment of individual misfortune in what was otherwise a goalless, tightly contested encounter.
Yet the response from Dallas and Healy suggests there is no desire among those close to Northern Ireland football to dwell on the miss. The broader picture, as they see it, is of a player growing into a major role for his nation, and that narrative remains intact.
What it means for West Brom
For West Brom, the endorsements from two figures of that stature will be encouraging. Price has been regarded as one of the more promising midfielders in the Championship squad, and glowing assessments from experienced international voices underline that belief.
The international break has given the Baggies a pause in their Championship programme. Manager Carlos Corberan's side will be keen to use the fortnight to regroup, having had a mixed run of results in the second tier before the squads broke up for international duty.
Price's ability to perform at international level, even in difficult circumstances such as a missed penalty, adds to his profile as a player who can handle pressure. Dallas and Healy's backing, expressed publicly via the BBC, is the kind of endorsement that reinforces confidence, both for the player himself and for those at West Brom who continue to invest faith in him.
Looking ahead
When the Championship resumes following the international break, Price will be expected to carry that international momentum back into his club performances. West Brom will be looking to their creative and combative midfielders to help drive a strong second half of the first portion of the season, and Price, according to those who know Northern Ireland football best, has the qualities to contribute at that level.
The support of figures like Dallas and Healy, men who wore the green shirt with distinction over many years, serves as a reminder that Price is viewed as far more than a squad player at international level. The penalty miss, painful as it was in the moment, appears unlikely to define how he is perceived by those best placed to judge him.
Frequently asked
- Who is Isaac Price and which club does he play for?
- Isaac Price is a midfielder who plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship. He also represents Northern Ireland at international level.
- What happened when Isaac Price took a penalty for Northern Ireland?
- Price missed a penalty during Northern Ireland's Nations League match against Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday, which ended in a goalless draw.
- What did Stuart Dallas and David Healy say about Isaac Price?
- Former Northern Ireland internationals Stuart Dallas and David Healy both praised Price highly, with Healy calling him 'brilliant' and Dallas describing him as a 'huge player' for the national team.