Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill feels his side have blueprint for away success in Bulgaria

O’Neill added: “We gave away very few chances in the games against two teams who were obviously preparing to go to Euro 2024 and we were always a threat on the counter-attack. We could have won the game in Bucharest as well.

“I think that gives you a lot of belief, the younger players in particular, that they can play away from home in difficult atmospheres and still compete and take something from the game.”

While goals remain something of a problem for the side – both against Luxembourg were scored by defenders at set-pieces – Northern Ireland have displayed increasing solidity in defence.

Through O’Neill’s first nine games of his second spell in the post, their only wins came against San Marino, while a 4-0 defeat by Finland was a particular low.

But starting with a win against Denmark in their final Euro 2024 qualifier, they have now kept four clean sheets in six games, all with a changing cast in defence, to set a platform for improved form.

“The biggest difference more than anything has been, Spain aside, we’ve only conceded one goal in six games,” O’Neill said.

“Prior to the Denmark game, we conceded four goals in Helsinki which was a difficult night for us with a very young team.

“Away from home you have to approach the game with a different mentality as well.

“It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to play on the front foot but we have to be somewhat measured in how we approach the game.”