Northern Ireland defender Chris Baird has said that confidence is high in the squad as they aim to secure Euro 2016 qualification.

Michael O'Neill's side currently sit second in Group F and could book a place in next summer's finals in France if they beat the Faroe Islands and Hungary in their next two qualifiers.

Baird has said that he is confident the team will achieve their goal and reach the country's first major tournament since 1986.

"We think we can do it," the 33-year-old told the Derby Telegraph. "Confidence is massive for us and it's been there from the start and during the run we've been on.

"We know what we need to do, individually and as a group. I've been there before when we got close. We had Spain, Sweden Denmark, Iceland and Latvia, which was quite a tough group.

"This time around, we know that we're so close and these next two games are massive for us. For now, we're focusing on the next game and if we can win it, we'll be one step closer to what we want to achieve."

Northern Ireland face the Faroes on Friday before playing Hungary on Monday evening.

Written by
Steven Toplis