Northern Ireland Under 21 boss Ian Baraclough has warned his players not to take Malta for granted in their opening European Championship qualifier at Ballymena Showgrounds tonight.
His boys are heavy favourites given several of the squad who performed heroically in the last campaign are still around.
Back then Spain finished ahead of Northern Ireland in the group and went on to win the tournament earlier this year.
Baraclough believes his side can qualify for the 2021 finals from a group containing Denmark, Romania, Ukraine, Finland and Malta.
To do that they need to either top their table or finish as runners-up and then triumph in a play-off.
The former Motherwell boss says it is imperative to start well against minnows Malta this evening.
“People will say Malta are potentially the weakest team in the group, we are playing them at home and that it should be a surefire three points but I’m guarding against that,” said Baraclough.
“We’ll have to be at the top of our game to break down what will be a resolute side who will try and hit us on the counter. If we are not mentally at it we could come unstuck.
“Last time we started well, got some momentum going and had a fantastic campaign. This time qualification is our goal.
“You have to believe it can be done. We haven’t got a stand out nation like Spain this time but I think as a whole the group is stronger. If we can get on a roll anything is possible.”
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