Ali McCann is convinced Northern Ireland’s 5-0 thrashing of Bulgaria last month is not a false dawn.
Michael O’Neill’s men followed up a 0-0 draw in Belarus with a swashbuckling performance in that ruthless attacking display in Belfast.
The convincing win fired Northern Ireland to the summit of Nations League Group C3.
Isaac Price grabbed the spotlight with a hat-trick while Bulgarian keeper Dimitar Mitov deflected Brodie Spencer’s effort into his own goal and Josh Magennis rounded off the scoring with a stunning fifth in the closing minutes.
Few would have predicted the flurry of goals but it was a performance which underlined the potential of this young squad.
O’Neill had started five players aged 21 or younger against Belarus and, by bringing Spencer into his starting line-up in place of Jamal Lewis, it was six against Bulgaria.
Preston midfielder McCann is confident the five-star performance at Windsor was a curtain raiser for more exciting performances to come.
“I think the performance just gives everyone loads of confidence,” said McCann.
“Particularly with back-to-back games at home, we know if we win we have a really good chance of winning the group. There’s no reason why we can’t go and attack the game in a similar manner.
“The first-half against Belarus can also give us loads of confidence that we can turn them over at home.
“The win over Bulgaria was a great night for everybody. Everything clicked on the night, it was enjoyable to be a part of it and I’m sure it was enjoyable for everyone watching as well.
“There have been positive signs the past 18 months but to come away with a 5-0 win, it doesn’t come around too often so we all enjoyed it and we want it to carry on.
“The young players have been amazing. They just bounce around the place. I saw it for myself today.
“They just enjoy being here and there is a fearlessness. They are not afraid to make mistakes, and the athleticism they have is unbelievable.
“Paired with the quality, it is huge for us. It is an asset that can help us. It was a bit different when I came in. I was really young and there weren’t that many young players in the squad.
“I think it helps that there are so many young players in the current squad and they have known each other since Under-17, 19 and 21 level.
“They are great lads and have all bedded in really well.
“They are lovely lads and good players to go with it, so it has been easy to bed them in.”
After September’s 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria, McCann said he believed Northern Ireland would still end up topping their Nations League group.
That result dropped O’Neill’s side to third spot in the League C3 standings on three points behind Belarus, who won 1-0 in Luxembourg.
October’s fixtures were going to be critical in the battle to head the table and earn promotion.
The scoreless stalemate in Hungary against Belarus was frustrating but Bulgaria were put to the sword in style.
O’Neill’s side now head Group C3 ahead of the final two matches of their Nations League campaign, having won two and drawn one of their four games to date.
After the battle with Belarus at Windsor Park on Friday night, Northern Ireland travel to face Luxembourg three days later.
“I think it was at the very start we knew we had to win games to progress and we had difficult games, away to Bulgaria was not easy, they used their home advantage like we did against them and hopefully we can use that against Belarus this weekend and go on to win the group,” said McCann.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position now and we just want to win the last two games and stay top of the group and see what happens after that.
“I don’t think the young lads in the group feel any sort of pressure. Previous Nations League campaigns have been really difficult and we have found ourselves in Pot C, but at the start of this campaign it was all about trying to win the group and we’ve put ourselves in a good position to do that.
“If we win on Friday and results go our way, we could do it on Friday, but if not, we go into the second game wanting to win no matter what happens.
“We had a lot of narrow defeats in the campaign before but we were falling short in tiny areas but the last few caps I’ve been involved in have been so positive and that bodes well going forward.
“I’m one of the oldest ones in the squad now, which is mental, but there is so much talent in the group and that can only be good going forward.
“The young lads are a credit to themselves, the quality they have is incredible.”
McCann formed an effective partnership with Shea Charles in the stunning performance against Bulgaria.
The Southampton midfielder, who is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, wasn’t among the scorers but again demonstrated his extraordinary talent.
“He was so good against Bulgaria, that is one the best performances I have seen to be fair,” added McCann.
“He is class and makes my job so much easier. I just stay behind and let him drive forward and run away with the ball!
“It’s great playing with Shea, Conor, Trai and Isaac, there are loads of quality players we will have for years to come.
“I think we complement each other well, I can sweep up behind him and let him drive the team forward, he goes past players with ease and if he keeps playing the way he did against Bulgaria we will be laughing.”