Euro 2016 Group C Preview and Predictions for Northern Ireland

With the 2015/16 domestic Premier League campaign seemingly about to reach its natural conclusion right in the here and now, we’ve decided to continue our relevant Group C preview and predictions for Euro 2016 this summer, with a closer look at Northern Ireland’s chances of achieving further success at the highly anticipated international tournament…

 

Chances of success:

Let’s be fair, although Northern Ireland aren’t all that likely to set the European scene alight in France this summer, Michael O’Neill’s team certainly deserve credit for simply qualifying for Euro 2016 in the first instance.

The tournament debutants nonetheless proved somewhat effective from dead-ball situations throughout the entire qualification process truth be told – so even though most expect Northern Ireland to play the unwanted role of Group C whipping-boys at the upcoming competition – maybe now is no time to write this determined outfit off completely.

 

Ones to watch:

Although frequent Premier League watchers will seemingly know a thing or two about Southampton’s midfield man in the shape of Steven Davis, the up and coming young centre-back hopeful that is Paddy McNair of Manchester United, as well as the trio of Northern Irish faces down at West Brom in Chris Brunt, Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley – Michael O’Neill hardly plays host to the most illustrious set of players operating at Euro 2016 when all is said and done.   

Norwich City’s Kyle Lafferty could nonetheless serve to continue his fine international goal-scoring form among the upcoming competition if things go well for Northern Ireland, seeing as the 28-year-old striker registered an impressive nine finishes throughout the entire qualification process for Euro 2016.

 

From the dug-out:

Much like Northern Ireland themselves representing one of the least established footballing nations looking to try their hand at Euro 2016 this summer, Michael O’Neill clearly goes down as one of the lesser known tacticians operating upon the international scene at this particular stage in proceedings.

The former Shamrock Rovers boss seemingly warrants a fair amount of praise for simply for arriving among the Euro 2016 finals in the first place however, which certainly represents a massive step up from the less than notorious League of Ireland Premier Division.

 

Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 Predictions:

Without wanting to dampen Northern Irish spirits before a ball has even been kicked at this summer’s progressively captivating international tournament, Michael O’Neill’s determined side probably won’t make it beyond the Euro 2016 group-stage proceedings if we're all being honest.

Achieving safe passage past Group C isn’t entirely impossible for this team of course, just that each of Germany, Poland and Ukraine seemingly represent more than enough competition for Northern Ireland within the grand scheme of things.

After such an unpredictable 2014 World Cup in Brazil two summers ago however, who knows what Euro 2016 has in store at this admittedly early stage in the footballing calendar…