O’Neill aims to get off to opening double flyer

N. IRELAND: Boss marks first two games as ‘essential’ before ties against group’s big two

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has told his players this week’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Estonia and Belarus are “essential” to their hopes of navigating a tough group.

With Holland and Germany the other two nations in Group C, the games at Windsor Park today and Sunday are the most winnable of the eight fixtures facing Northern Ireland.

“They’re essential,” O’Neill said. “There’s no point saying otherwise. If we didn’t get a result, yes you still have games to make up but if we’re realistic we have to make sure with these two games we do everything possible to win.

“Our other two home games are Germany and Holland so without being disrespectful to Estonia and Belarus these are the easier games at home.”

“When you’re a smaller nation you need to be out in front. It’s very difficult to come from behind in qualifying.

“The players are under no illusions. We’ve looked at the group and talked about the scenarios.

“But that’s all talk at the end of the day. You can plan and plan but you have to go out and perform.”

The task may be daunting but the prize on offer feels tangible to the Northern Ireland players, with many of the current squad having been at Euro 2016 – which was Northern Ireland’s first major tournament in 30 years.

“Quite a number of the players experienced that Euros,” said captain Steven Davis. “It was one of the best experiences of our lives and not just in football.

“The carrot is there for us. We want to get off to a good start and see where we’re at.”

Not for the first time, O’Neill has several players in his squad who are not getting a regular game for their clubs, with more than half of the group not starting their final club match before the international break.

Davis is among those not playing regularly, having not yet got the game time he was hoping for when he swapped Southampton for Rangers in January.

“It’s not panned out the way I would like up to this point,” the midfielder said. “It was good for me to get 90 minutes at the weekend. I’m feeling quite good but you need to get a regular run of games to get to the level you want.”

O’Neill has injury concerns over Corry Evans and Gareth McAuley, who both have hamstring problems, while Gavin Whyte is carrying a thigh injury.

We have to make sure with these two games we do everything possible to win. MICHAEL O’NEILL