This Grigg is on Fire: the Northern Ireland Euro 2016 preview

Such an apparently limited squad, one containing an “unattached” player in Aaron Hughes and an Irish League player in 38-year-old Roy Carroll who has just joined Linfield, is why Northern Ireland are rank outsiders.

And O’Neill, whose side face Poland, Ukraine and Germany in Group C at the Euros, was disappointed that Romanian referee Marian Radu Petrescu failed to discipline a number of strong challenges.

But this group is not impossible, it is far from a group of death, and with Northern Ireland’s incredible run of form they will be targeting the matches against Poland and Ukraine. He admits the appointment of O’Neill as manager persuaded him he would return to a team that could reach a first finals since the 1986 World Cup. We were in pot five when the qualification draw was made so we weren’t expected to even make the play-offs, let alone go on and win the group.

The closest Northern Ireland had come to a return to the big stage was when they missed out by goal difference on a play-off place at Euro 96 in England. Couple this with some solid players who have impressed in the Championship and below, and Northern Ireland’s chances have never been better.

“We have a small pool of players and they will be playing for the first time in a major tournament”. The family photos and snapshots of Steven Davis celebrating against Greece, Armstrong scoring against Spain in the 1982 World Cup and Harry Gregg commanding his area at Windsor Park are created to inspire as well as reassure. Other than captain Davis there are no top players, with defenders Chris Baird and Paddy McNair often having to deputise in midfield.

‘They probably could have moved him on, and maybe that bit of stability and continuity helped them achieve where they are today.

N. Ireland players Chris Baird and Oliver Norwood spoke to their team’s designation as “underdogs” and how that fuels them.

Despite drawing their only match in May, Sweden’s goalless snooze-fest with Slovenia was enough to see them climb one spot up to the 35. If somebody picks your answer you get points.

He said: “We want to keep the momentum going, so if we can get a positive result against Slovakia, that would be great”.

The top two teams from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, will progress through to the round of 16.