Northern Ireland fans laud Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown

The Green and White Army drew 0-0 with Hungary in their second Group B2 fixture of the Nations League on Monday night, impressing against higher-ranked opposition.

Midfielder Patrick Kelly had two chances in the first half before West Bromwich Albion’s Isaac Price was denied late in the game.

Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai was the talk of the game but offered little for his nation during the 90 minutes.

Northern Ireland beat Georgia 1-0 in their first Nations League game last Friday with Fulham midfielder Shea Charles bagging a 99th-minute winner.

Oxford defender Brown was a standout for Michael O’Neill’s side at Windsor Park against Hungary and drew high praise from fans after the stalemate with a second clean sheet in two games.

Steven Beacom, chief sports writer at the Belfast Telegraph, hailed the team’s back three trio of Ruairi McConville, Tom Atcheson and Brown were ‘excellent’ in an X post.

Oxford United centre back Ciaron Brown (Image: Jason Dawson)

One X user named Brown as Northern Ireland’s best player, saying: “Draw the right result. Thought we looked pretty solid but just no real cutting edge.

“Ethan Galbraith excellent (especially playing for so long on a yellow) but Ciaron Brown my MOTM, didn’t put a foot wrong.”

Chris Holt, sports editor at The Star, added: “Another good performance from NI.

“Understandably tired towards the end so it was a case of making sure they got something from it.

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“Defence superb. Ciaron Brown becoming a bit of an unsung hero lately; Atcheson and McConville excellent beside him.”

Another X user heaped praise on the U’s centre back, saying: “Ciaron Brown had a really solid game again here.

“He was commanding, dominating in the air. Two clean-sheets in a row and he’s been a crucial part of that.

“A sloppy game but 8 clean-sheets in 10 at Windsor Park a very solid base of that team but quick back to back games an issue.”

A further X user continued: “Brilliant. He hardly put a foot wrong.

Oxford United centre back Ciaron Brown (Image: Oxford United)

“The big guy never lets us down. Heart like a lion.”

Brown has started both of his nation’s games this international break, with club teammate Brodie Spencer coming off the bench to feature in the duo of matches so far.

The Yellows central defender was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI in the first couple of games but has justified his selection.

The 28-year-old has played every minute of Oxford’s first six League One games of the season, contributing to two clean sheets and three wins as Aaron Ramsey’s side sit 10th in the table.