O’Neill planning Northern Ireland upsets

Michael O’Neill is confident Northern Ireland will be able to raise their game when they take part in Euro 2016.

The Green and White Army came through a group including the likes of Romania, Hungary and Greece and will now play in their first major championships since the 1986 World Cup.

Having been drawn alongside Germany, Ukraine and Poland in Group C, they face an uphill battle to make it through to the last 16 but the spirit they showed in qualifying means they will not be overawed by their task.

Northern Ireland are currently priced at 17.00 to top the pool and
3.00 to qualify, but O’Neill is already working hard on his side’s preparations for the competition.

The rare chance to play in an international tournament could prove to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Norn Iron.

O’Neill admits he is already looking forward to taking his side to France and is confident he and his men will be able to do themselves justice in France.

“This is a massive opportunity for the players, and for me as a coach,” O’Neill said. “People sat up and took notice in qualification
– we won our group – but this is a chance when we go to the finals for people to take notice of us again. That has to be our objective.

“We have to try and get to the last 16 of the tournament and none of the smaller countries will be any different. You want to give a good account of yourself, and that means getting out of your group.”