Michael O'Neill insists Northern Ireland need result in Norway

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill insists he is taking nothing for granted with his side on the cusp of securing a World Cup qualifying play-off place.

O'Neill's side are guaranteed second place in Group C behind Germany regardless of the result of their final qualifier against Norway on Sunday.

However, only eight of the nine second-placed teams in the groups advance to the play-offs and Northern Ireland must wait on other results before their place in the next round is confirmed.

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The Green and White Army will advance to the play-offs if Greece fail to beat Cyprus on Saturday night but O'Neill insists that result of that match won't affect his team selection against Norway.

"We're not going to approach the game like that," O'Neill said. "I think when we beat the Czech Republic so many people misinterpreted that in the media and said that we had guaranteed a play-off place.

"We never thought that for one second. We obviously were delighted to guarantee ourselves second in the group but you can see the way the groups are finishing - so many teams still have so much to play for.

"We're in a strong position but equally we have to come here and make sure we take something from tomorrow night to make sure we guarantee ourselves the opportunity of a play-off place."

A number of Northern Ireland players are at risk of missing the potential play-off first-leg through suspension but O'Neill says this won't influence his team selection.

"That's just an occupational hazard," he said. "The worst thing would be to leave players out and then miss out on the play-offs. We're not going to do that.

"We have to approach the game with the mindset of getting a result, make sure we're difficult to beat and obviously try to win the game as well.

"There are too many variables. We can't start focussing on bookings or anything - we have to get the players in the right frame of mind, which they are. They know the job at hand and what's required of them tomorrow night.

"We expect a very difficult game here but we know what's at stake for us as well."