Magennis eyes Oslo success to boost NI’s bid for seeded status

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“This country, especially during the last two campaigns, is used to winning and we are looking forward going to Norway and finishing this campaign with a victory. The second half show against Germany will give us the confidence to produce a performance on Sunday that will claim the win.”

Northern Ireland, currently ranked 20th in the world, could also ensure they are seeded for the play-offs if they beat Norway — which would mean they could avoid European heavyweights such as Italy and Portugal.

Magennis stresses that is a huge motivation for O’Neill’s men.

The Charlton striker added: “The seeding is what we want. To be seeded wouldn’t give us an easier game but we could go into the game on the front foot because we have been recognised as one of the top four teams out of eight in the play-offs.

“Obviously with the ranking we have, we are in a good position but hopefully if we get the good result we desperately want in Oslo then we should have a great chance of claiming a seeding.

“It’s so important because we could miss some of the big hitters and with us being so resilient away from home and strong at Windsor, with the fantastic fans behind us, we should have a big chance — if we make the playoffs.”

On last night’s showdown with Germany, Magennis added: “Obvioiusly it was nice to score against the World champions. Any goal from any our players would have been great, especially after we created so many chances in the second half.

“Michael needed to switch it up at half time and he showed he’s not afraid to do that with the decisions he made. We looked a much improved side in the second half and I thought Kyle Lafferty worked up there like a trojan. We knew if we were going to get anything out of the game we would have to put everything into it and every player is absolutely knackered. But you have to give your all when playing a side of the quality of Germany.”