EURO 2016 TEAM PREVIEW: GROUP C - NORTHERN IRELAND

Tip: Early exit

Cult hero: Unless you’ve been hiding in your back room without the Internet for the past few months, you will have heard of Will Grigg. The Wigan forward did not feature in qualifying, however his superb form for the League One champions has resulted in a brilliant chant that has swept the nation.

Star player: When your top scorer in qualifying notches four more than the next best in the group, it is safe to say they are hugely important to your hopes. Kyle Lafferty’s club career may be in flux right now, nevertheless when he pulls on the Northern Ireland shirt he plays like a man possessed. The well travelled striker can hold the ball up well and hit the net at will whenever he gets a sniff.

Player to watch: Anyone who has seen Stuart Dallas for Brentford and Leeds in recent seasons knows that the winger is capable of delivering quality service when the mood takes him. If they can get the ball to him in dangerous areas, he could provide a crucial one-two punch with Lafferty. He’s not shy in tracking back either, which will help out boss Michael O’Neill if he switches up formations.

How they qualified: Their last-gasp comeback win in Hungary to start their qualifying journey was massive as it gave them belief their tight unit could overcome the lack of genuine stars. Even though Romania got the better of them in their games, they racked up six wins overall to top Group F.

Line-up prediction: Carroll, Cathcart, McAuley, J Evans, McLaughlin, Norwood, McNair, Davis, Dallas, Washington, Lafferty