CONOR Washington described his rise to the brink of Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland as “a fairytale” after scoring his first international goal in Monday’s 1-0 win over Slovenia at Windsor Park.

The former Newport County AFC striker only made his debut against Wales in Cardiff last Thursday and had never been to Northern Ireland before the weekend.

Washington qualifies through his Belfast-born grandmother and was on cloud nine after firing in the winner in the capital to put him on course for a place at Euro 2016 in France.

“It was incredible, a great experience, and to get the win makes it even sweeter,” said the 23-year-old, who left County in 2014 and now plays for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.

“As a striker when you see the goal your eyes light up and you just want to be as cool as possible.

“I managed to shift the ball past the defender and saw there was a gap opening up at the near post and just managed to put it in there.

"It's been a bit of a fairytale sort of four years, but definitely (the last) six to eight months have been a bit of a fairytale.

"We set the 10-game unbeaten record as well,” he added.

“That's brilliant for Northern Ireland and we're looking to take this form into the next few games and into the tournament

“I just want to take every game as it comes and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Washington says he’s been welcomed into the squad with open arms and he’s predicting a successful summer for Northern Ireland.

“The boys are unbelievable,” he said. “Obviously there are boys playing at the top level here but there are absolutely no egos and that is the recipe for the success they’ve had.

“All the boys get on really well on and off the pitch and that’s evident on the pitch because they fight tooth and nail for each other.”

Washington's goal came four minutes before half-time as he collected a long punt from Roy Carroll, out-muscled Miral Samardzic and Nejc Skubic, shifted the ball on to his right foot and drove past a static Jan Oblak.

"You see what Conor Washington is about,” said manager Michael O’Neill. “That rawness, that power, that pace, sometimes you don't get that from players who are in a development system from a very young age.

"He has those attributes, which are refreshing to see as a coach; he's so hungry to learn and keen to do well. It's great.

"For a player whose just come into the squad, the reaction from the other members in the team to him scoring shows how well he's fitting in."