Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A NOR SUMMER ADVENTURE IS WHAT I CRAVE
OLIVER NORWOOD wants another “out of body experience” in Russia next summer. The 25-year-old midfielder fulfilled a dream by playing in a major tournament at Euro 2016 last year. Michael O’neill’s team take on Norway in a Group C World Cup qualifier this weekend well in the hunt for at least a play-off place. Norwood, also chasing promotion to the Premier League with his club Brighton, admits expectations have risen after getting to France. And he is also pleasantly surprised a big club has not swooped for national team boss O’neill after overseeing such a spectacular turnaround in Northern Ireland’s fortunes. The 43-times capped Norwood said: “Being in France was like an out of body experience. I never truly believed I would get the chance to play in a major tournament with Northern Ireland. “Most of us had played at Under 19 and Under 21 together and once you have tasted it you just want more – you want to get to a World Cup. “The next two matches, Norway at home this week and then Azerbaijan away in June, are massive. “Beating Norway would go a long way towards helping us have a realistic chance of finishing second as you have to think Germany will be top. “If we can win both of those it would put us in a good position. We have a real chance of grabbing that second spot and then anything can happen in the play-offs. “There is more expectation now, no question – we have felt that and so maybe the underdog thing has slipped a little bit. “There is more confidence going in to these kinds of matches. When I was first in the squad we were turning up hoping to stay in games. Now we expect to win them. “And it is still building. Michael has stayed and we only really lost Chris Baird in terms of international retirement. That gives reason to be hopeful for the future and continued good results. “I am very surprised there hasn’t been a big offer from one of the big clubs for Michael O’neill. “The work he has done has been unbelievable and getting Northern Ireland to a major tournament was an amazing achievement. “Obviously we are delighted that hasn’t happened and that he is still with the team – and hopefully he can take us to Russia.”