Nations League: Northern Ireland ‘full of confidence’ before double-header

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says his squad is “full of confidence” before their Nations League double-header against Belarus and Luxembourg.

O’Neill’s side sit top of League C Group 3 with seven points after two wins, one draw and one defeat from their four fixtures in the competition to date.

Last month O’Neill’s charges followed up a 0-0 draw in Belarus with a hugely impressive performance in a 5-0 victory over Bulgaria in Belfast.

Belarus visit Windsor Park on Friday night, with an away game against Luxembourg on Monday completing the campaign.

Finishing first in the group can help secure a route to the 2026 World Cup finals through play-off qualification.

“There’s a lot of positivity around the team, which is good. There’s a little bit of keeping people’s feet on the ground a little bit as well,” O’Neill told BBC Sport NI.

“You’re not going to go out and score five goals every time you play. As long as the team continue to do the right things, play with the same intensity, play with the same energy, get the crowd involved in the game, which is always very important in Belfast.

“This is a team that’s going to grow. The exciting time for this team is probably three or four years from now but they’ve got to a point where they’re winning games at international level and it’s a good habit for them to have.”