Niall McGinn confident Northern Ireland can maintain unbeaten run
Thursday 9 June 2016 13:30, UK
Northern Ireland midfielder Niall McGinn is confident his side can extend their 12-game unbeaten run at Euro 2016.
Michael O'Neill's side enter the Championships with the best record of any competing nation having not tasted defeat since March 2015.
Holders Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy have all slipped up in warm-up matches and despite Northern Ireland being quoted at 500/1 shots to prevail in France, McGinn believes they can build on their momentum.
"It's good for us going into the competition with the best record, and we just want to keep that going," said the Aberdeen winger.
"In the last three games, even before going into the tournament, we wanted to finish on a high and keep the unbeaten run going. Thankfully we've done that.
"Now the confidence is high and the boys are feeling good. We just can't wait for the first game to come around. Hopefully, with a bit of luck and the talent and skill we have in the squad, we'll be a real threat."
But McGinn appreciates Euro 2016 could be a "frustrating" campaign personally due to Northern Ireland's recent formation change.
Manager O'Neill's decision to implement a back three with wing-backs in the run-up to France has deprived the former Celtic star of an international start in any of his country's five fixtures since they qualified.
The 28-year-old had figured in half of the games in the qualification campaign but accepts he may feature more from the bench during the tournament, insisting he will be ready if called upon.
"I feel great but it's just probably going to be a wee bit frustrating for myself with the formation we're playing with, not playing with any wingers," he added.
"Me being me, I'll always be professional, just keeping myself right. When called upon hopefully I can come on and make an impact."
