Jimmy Nicholl believes opportunity knocks for Northern Ireland following yesterday's UEFA Nations League draw.
Ian Baraclough's side will play against Greece, Kosovo and either Cyprus of Estonia in Group C2.
Greece will bring back fond memories for Northern Ireland, who won in Athens and Belfast to book their place at Euro 2016.
Northern Ireland have yet to win a game in the Nations League, and have finished bottom of their group in the previous two runnings of the competition.
Assistant manager Nicholl accepts it is time to start delivering results.
“I don’t think there's any doubt that we have to get results and try to win this group," he said.
“There’s no point in me or the manager sitting and talking, saying things are turning in our favour if we can’t then show it on the pitch.
“The players can go out and be confident but if you don’t get results you have to ask yourself why we were getting so excited.
“You have to say ‘c’mon, let's prove there’s the makings of a really good team and try to achieve something’ and achieving something is qualifying for another major tournament.
“I’m confident that is the next step for us and I’m excited and encouraged that it’s going to happen.
“Some of the football in the previous two Nations League campaigns was great, but we didn’t take our chances.
“But I’ll be really disappointed if it doesn’t happen this time around for us.”
Meanwhile, Nicholl has voiced his delight after manager Baraclough signed a new two-year contract to take in the Nations League and Euro qualifiers.
But the former defender admits he didn't realise the contract had been rubberstamped until he watched it on the news.
“I was delighted Ian signed his new deal; I actually thought it was done and dusted before that - I was happy about four weeks ago!" he joked.
“The way the manager was talking it was always going to be sorted and I honestly believe he has something going at the minute."
