Burnley's Kyle Lafferty admits his competitive debut for Northern Ireland was soured by their dismal 3-0 home defeat to Iceland.

The 18-year-old Clarets striker - tipped for a big future at Turf Moor and on the international scene - came off the bench during the second-half of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifying clash at Windsor Park.

It was Lafferty's fourth cap, coming after two appearances in a tour of America earlier this summer and another friendly outing in Finland last month, in which he bagged his first goal.

But inside of sporting a happy smile after his first ever senior game at Belfast, in which he was cheered on by his parents and a bus-load of friends, the fast-improving Burnley teenager was left deflated.

Northern Ireland were punished for defensive mistakes as Iceland, governed by a master-class display from Barcelona ace Eidur Gudjohnsen, netted three first-half goals in the space of 25 minutes.

"It was a good reception that I got," said Lafferty. "It's just a pity we lost. I'm disappointed with the result.

"It was just three stupid goals - they were stupid mistakes really.

"I think in any other game we would have cleared them all. But it's just unfortunate that we didn't.

"It was hard for me getting into the game. I wasn't nervous. I don't really hear the fans.

"The manager just said 'Win your headers'. We just tried to get a goal or two back when I came on, but unfortunately it did not happen.

"It was a good crowd. The fans never stopped singing, so that's to their credit."

Once brought on for Stuart Elliott with nearly half-an-hour remaining, it was thought Lafferty would be thrown up front alongside David Healy.

But the teenager started on the right-wing before switching to the left.

Asked if he was disappointed not to start the match, Lafferty added: "It's the manager's decision."