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JONNY EVANS expects the waterworks to flow if Northern Ireland can create history by reaching next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.

Michael O’neill’s men are just two games away from securing back-toback tournaments for the first time ever in the country’s history.

And Evans – who freely admitted shedding a tear following last summer’s famous 2-0 win over Ukraine at Euro 2016 – is expecting another emotional rollercoaster.

A positive result against the Swiss in tonight’s first leg in Belfast would ease Northern Ireland ever closer to a first World Cup since Billy Bingham’s famous sides of 1982 and 1986.

Reminded that he wept after the Ukraine game – prompting younger brother and team-mate Corry to exclaim ‘what are you doing?’ – Evans was jokingly asked if he had “toughened up” since the Euros. “No, I still get emotional – it’s a weird thing,” said the West Brom defender.

“Every time we come for an international, Michael gives us these motivational videos at various times during the week and you feel yourself getting emotional.

“Playing for your country does that to you. We have all come through a lot together as a team and you get those emotions.”

Evans, who is one booking away from missing Sunday’s return leg in Basel, believes reaching a World Cup would “eclipse” playing at the Euros.

He said: “We don’t want to take anything away from what we achieved last summer but I think we would look at it as being better.

“To qualify for a second successive tournament would be a huge credit to the squad. For a team like us to do it again would be an amazing achievement.”

The 29-year-old admits two high intensity games in four days with a World Cup on the line is an entirely new experience for him. He said: “I don’t think I’ve been in a position where the two games come so quickfire, when a few days later you face the same team again. I don’t think any past experiences will help.

“But coming into the big moments as underdogs suits us and it’s a position we’re comfortable with. Whatever way the game pans out, we’ll be comfortable.

“We’ve been in big situations before when we’ve had to produce over the past couple of years.

“It’s business as usual for us and we’ve spoken before about how, when it comes to crunch time, we’ve been able to stand up and produce big moments.

“That gives us an extra sense of composure in the squad and that extra belief.”

RAW EMOTION Evans tears up as he holds daughter Lottie after 2-0 win over Ukraine at Euro 2016 in Lyon