Monday 30 March 2015 13:33, UK
Michael O'Neill believes a win against Romania in June will secure Northern Ireland's place at next year's European Championships.
Sunday's 2-1 victory over Finland at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland's fourth win in five qualifiers, cemented second spot on Group F, one point behind Romania and four clear of third-placed Hungary.
Anghel Iordanescu's side visit Windsor Park on June 13 and O'Neill believes a win would go a long way to ensuring qualification for a first major tournament in 30 years.
"The message is simple. We have given ourselves a fantastic chance, and we have to make sure we take our chance again in June," he said.
"The Romania game becomes massive now. If you can win that game, then it would be hard to think we won't get to the Euros. It takes on extra significance. Do we feel 18 points will be enough? Possibly.
The Romania game becomes massive now. If we can win that game, then it would be hard to think we won't get to the Euros.
"If we can get to 15 points with four games to go, that has to be our target at this moment in time. We will have the chance to go top of the group against Romania."
Northern Ireland will sharpen themselves for the Romania game with friendly matches against Qatar and Wales but O’Neill is aware the positioning of the game in the British close-season does place an emphasis on the players to maintain their fitness levels.
"We have two good warm-up games before that so preparation will be excellent," he said. "Our preparation in June will be vital, and the warm-up games against Qatar and Wales will be crucial.
"But players finish their seasons in May, and there is an onus on certain players to maintain their own fitness."
'Difficult'
If fit, Aaron Hughes will become his country's most capped outfield player in those fixtures, with his current tally of 95 leaving him level with David Healy.
He had to make do with bench duty against Finland, with O'Neill making the tough choice to pair Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley in the middle while favouring Conor McLaughlin at right-back.
"Leaving out Aaron was maybe the most difficult decision I have had to make in my three years, in terms of team selection," he said.
"Everyone knows what Aaron Hughes is about and what his qualities are as a player and individual. I sat with Aaron a few nights ago and talked about his situation at Brighton.
"He hasn't played much club football in recent times, and he fully understood where I was coming from. And Aaron being Aaron, he took it in his professional style. He is still a huge part of this squad, but now we have competition for places which is good.
"Jonny showed what a top class player he is, and he showed it at Hampden against Scotland the other night. So it is good. But it is only a matter of time before Aaron gets his 96th cap and goes on to win 100."
