Michael O’Neill insists there is still much more to come from Northern Ireland

Michael O’Neill believes there is still more to come from his young Northern Ireland side after an excellent 2-0 win over Slovakia left them with “everything to gain” from Monday’s World Cup qualifying showdown against Germany.

Northern Ireland turned in one of the best performances since O’Neill’s return to the national job in late 2022 to win through a first-half own goal from Patrik Hrosovsky and Trai Hume’s first international goal 10 minutes from time.

The result leaves Group A still open at the mid-point campaign as Northern Ireland are level on six points with Slovakia and Germany, who will be the visitors for O’Neill’s 100th game in charge on Monday night.

“It’s brilliant,” O’Neill said when asked how the Slovakia win sets up the Germany match. “This is a young group of players, they’re only in their second qualification campaign. For most of them their first was an introduction and they weren’t playing all the time.

“They’re still in the infancy of their international careers. But they rose to the occasion and we have everything to gain in the game against Germany on Monday.”

O’Neill was full of praise for his entire side, reluctant to name stand-out performers as he said there were “magnificent” displays throughout the team.

Although the official statistics had Slovakia bossing possession it rarely felt like that as Northern Ireland attacked with energy and hunger throughout, creating by far the most dangerous chances on a night when they ought to have put it to bed earlier.

The win and clean sheet meant Northern Ireland have won their last five competitive games at Windsor Park by an aggregate score of 13-0, and they are now unbeaten in their last seven in Belfast, winning six.

With youth still very much on the side of this squad, O’Neill expects the improvements to keep coming.

“We can say it’s one of the best performances we’ve had but I still think there’s more in the tank and I think the players believe that as well,” he said.

“This is a brilliant group of lads to work with, a joy to work with to be honest. I think they just need guiding a little bit, they need a good structure. They’ve really taken to how the team is prepared.

“At times it’s a little bit difficult – we are very detailed in our preparation. Sometimes for younger players it’s a little more difficult. But they’ve taken the information on board. I think we’ve got to continue to grow as a team.”

The one sore point on the night was a cheap yellow card for Conor Bradley late in the second half which will rule the Liverpool man, integral to how Northern Ireland played in Friday’s win as most of their attacking play went down the right-hand side, out of the Germany match.

Bradley’s link-up play with Ethan Galbraith was outstanding, and although Bradley will miss Monday’s game, O’Neill allayed any fears over Galbraith after the Swansea midfielder was replaced by Brodie Spencer with five minutes left.

“It’s just cramp, so he’s OK,” O’Neill said. “We’ll be wheeling him out again.”