Trai Hume is confident Northern Ireland will win their Nations League group and he has reassured the Green and White Army they are just warming up as an international force.
Michael O’Neill’s young guns are brimming with confidence after ripping apart Bulgaria 5-0 on an unforgettable night at Windsor Park but Hume insists this squad have more fireworks to produce on the big stage.
The boys are back in town on Friday night when they face Belarus with top spot and promotion from the third tier in their sights.
The Group C3 leaders, who have won two, lost one and drawn one, are looking to finish 2024 with a bang.
Up next are two winnable fixtures against Belarus and Luxembourg and Northern Ireland can even be promoted with a game to spare if they beat Belarus and Bulgaria fail to overcome Luxembourg.
Winning their Nations League group could also open up a route to the World Cup in 2026 via a potential Play-Off.
Sunderland hero Hume, who captained Northern Ireland in September’s 2-0 win over Luxembourg, says the squad can finish this campaign on top form.
“There is definitely a lot of confidence there, especially after the last performance,” said the former Linfield defender.
“You don’t normally score five goals in international football, but we have that ability in the group with a squad that is growing and the young players will get better and better.
“The boys will get stronger as they play more for their clubs.
“We have confidence in our ability to top the group.
“We are confident it is possible and we can do it. The squad want to finish top of the group and what comes after that we will see.”
Hume added: “Everyone loved the Bulgaria game. The players loved it, the fans loved it, my family loved every second of it.
“I think we have that in the locker. Look at the Belarus game, the first-half, we could have been three or four goals up at half-time but their keeper had a good game and you could say we didn’t take our chances.
“Like I said, I think we have that in us but we have to keep improving as a team and keep listening to Michael and the staff because they are trying to help us win games.
“Everything went right that night against Bulgaria, so it was only right we enjoyed the moment but now it’s onto these two games.”
Belarus, who are second in the group with six points from three games, shut out Northern Ireland in Hungary.
But O’Neill’s men displayed a ruthless streak in the demolition job on Bulgaria.
A fan favourite at both club and country, Hume feels Northern Ireland can build on that sensational performance.
“Young players usually don’t play with fear,” said the 22-year-old. “You got out there trying to impress and show what you can do as best as you can and that’s what we keep trying to do.
“I’ve been in the squad three years now and I just want to keep getting better and improve and there’s a lot of competition for places so you have to keep playing well to keep your place.
“I try not to look back but it wasn’t that long ago I was playing in the Irish League. I loved playing in the Irish League and obviously there wasn’t as much pressure as there is at Sunderland or with Northern Ireland but I feel I worked hard to get to where I am now and I’ll keep working hard and enjoying it.
“Michael’s been talking a lot about our progress this week, it’s about consistency and trying to get better. We’re top of the group here and we’re top of the League at Sunderland but not everything is going to be perfect. Not every game is going to go the way you want and you’re not going to play well every game but you just need to be consistent and know what your managers are telling you to do and keep on trying to get better.”
Uncapped Brighton defender Ruairi McConville was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time.
Hume’s Sunderland team-mate Dan Ballard returns to the squad after injury but O’Neill is without Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal for the double-header because of hamstring injuries.
McNair and Toal started both games in October in a back three, so O’Neill will need to look at other options.
“Paddy and Toaly are obviously injured and for us it’s going to be an opportunity for someone to come in and big Dan Ballard is back, he is fit and I’m sure he can help us,” continued Hume, who joined the Black Cats in January 2022.
“It might be an opportunity for Kofi (Balmer) or young Ruairi (McConville) to get game time.”
Birmingham goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell returns to the panel after missing the October games against Belarus and Bulgaria.
Pierce Charles was handed the starting berth against Belarus and Bulgaria — and impressed.
“We have been winding up all three goalkeepers, Josh (Magennis) has been joking with them on the bus about who is starting,” added Hume.
“We are having a laugh with it but it’s up to Michael and we will see who starts.
“You want competition for places, when I first came into the squad people were asking what is going to happen with you and Conor Bradley, it pushes players on to get better and you want to keep your place in the team.”