McGovern is bidding for shut-out No8

NO ONE in Europe has kept more clean sheets in World Cup qualifying than Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

But the bad news for McGovern is that tonight he faces Germany, the last team to beat him and the continent’s joint-top scorers in qualifying with 35 goals.

When the teams met in a group match at Euro 2016, Germany won 1-0 but an incredible display by McGovern almost denied the world champions.

Sixteen months on the Norwich keeper has conceded just three international goals — one at the Euros to Wales and two more to Germany in Hanover a year ago.

He has had seven shut-outs in qualifying and has gone more than 10 hours without conceding for his country.

Another McGovern masterclass may be needed in Belfast if he is to deny a Germany that Joachim Low describes as “very dangerous”.

The Germany boss said: “Our finishing was poor in the Euros but we are now using different formations and have now scored more than 30 goals in qualifying.

“We have goalscorers in our squad. Thomas Muller, Julian Brandt, Leroy Sane, Julian Draxler, Sandro Wagner, Amin Younes and others — they are all players who get chances and are dangerous in front of goal. These players will create chances.

“If we carry out our game plan, we are very dangerous, regardless of which players are on the pitch.”

Northern Ireland are already guaranteed second place in

Group C but will make history if they beat a side who have never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home.

Manager Michael O’Neill said: “The Germans are a formidable opponent but they are not invincible.”