Kyle Lafferty replaces George Best at Belfast City airport

Kyle Lafferty replaces George Best at Belfast City airport for Euro 2016 opener

• Airport temporarily renamed after Northern Ireland striker
• ‘We hope name change will help inspire Kyle to glory against Poland’

Northern Ireland fans flying to Nice on Sunday for their Euro 2016 opener with Poland were departing from the temporarily renamed Kyle Lafferty Belfast City airport.

The airport is named after George Best but to mark the country’s first fixture at a major international tournament in 30 years on Sunday, the honour was bestowed on the Lafferty. Signage was also placed at the airport featuring a picture of the 28-year-old striker smiling and holding his arms in the air.

“The excitement surrounding the Euros has been palpable around the airport since we gave the team that eye-catching green-and-white water-canon salute as they departed,” a spokesperson for the airport said.

“The City Airport is very much part of the fabric of the community and by renaming the airport for the day we are joining members of the Green and White Army at home and in France in sending a huge message of support to Kyle and his team-mates for the Euros.

“George Best was one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen and we hope that this name change for the day will help inspire Kyle to glory against Poland and in the rest of the tournament.

“Who knows – we may see other major airports across Europe following suit and renaming in honour of one of their own footballing stars.”

Lafferty and his team-mates will head to the Stade de Nice inspired by a motivational message from Rory McIlroy. The four-times major winner recorded a speech that was played to Michael O’Neill’s squad on the eve of their historic match in the south of France.

“Tomorrow you will write the next chapter in our long and famous sporting story,” McIlroy said in the clip. “When you walk out at that stadium in Nice, take a moment to think about our sporting icons, what they achieved, and how this is your chance to take your place alongside them.

“Feel the pride of what it means to represent your country with the world watching.”

Guardian