Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty revealed he would liked to have played from the start but was happy to have contributed in the 4-0 win over San Marino on Saturday evening.
Lafferty has seen just 28 minutes of action in the Sky Bet Championship this season __with Norwich and after a poor showing in the opening Group C draw __with Czech Republic, remained on the bench until late into the second half before he was summoned to help see off the lowly visitors at Windsor Park.
Two goals and an assist from the Canaries forward was the perfect response to being left out, but he had no problem with his omission, insisting manager Michael O'Neill made the right decision.
"Obviously I was disappointed not to play, but I understand," Lafferty said after the game.
"It's Michael's decision and I haven't been playing club football, Michael made the right decision, I'm not fit and I was just happy to get on the pitch and score two goals."
O'Neill - who saw his side move up to third in their World Cup qualifying group - admitted it was hard to leave his talisman out but was impressed with his response.
"It was a very difficult situation, Kyle has played 45 minutes of football since we played Czech Republic, but delighted for him tonight, his attitude was great, he was great when he came on the pitch and I'm delighted he got two goals."
Next up is world champions Germany on Tuesday and O'Neill was not under any illusions as to the task that awaits him and his players in Hanover.
"We're as good as we can be, we scored four goals, have not conceded a goal and we go into what is easily the most difficult game in international football, we know what to expect and will be tested to the max on Tuesday night," he added.
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