Ex-NI player Armstrong backs O'Neill's class of 2016 to stun the world

The hero of Spain ‘82 said Michael O’Neill has created a side fully deserving of the lavish praise being heaped on them, and that the Germans could be vulnerable on Tuesday night in Paris if the Northern Ireland players believe in themselves.

A draw tonight would all but assure progress for the success-starved nation, but even a narrow defeat to the world champions could be enough to enter the knockout stages if other results are favourable.

Armstrong said the squad will have treasured life-long memories if they shock the world with a victory.

“I see that [the German manager] Joachim Low has said ‘we are going to beat Northern Ireland tomorrow’ and that is great - I think that’s perfect for us because that’s all we need to get the players wound up.

Recalling the last major success more than three decades ago, Armstrong urged the current squad to write a new chapter in football folklore.

“We had been hoping to play Germany in the semi-final of the World Cup in 82, but we played them three months later in Belfast and beat them one nil with an Ian Stewart goal.

“Everybody said we were lucky, or that ‘you’re only good at home,’ but we played them again [in November 1983] and beat them one nil again...so we beat them home and away...and if we put our mind to it we can do it again.

“I remember that second match in Hamburg as it was my 50th cap. I will always remember that night.”

Armstrong, who famously scored the only goal of the game to beat World Cup 1982 hosts Spain in Valencia, described the Germans as “very ordinary” in the competition to date.

“I don’t think Germany have played like world champions. There are a few cracks in their armour and they’ve been very ordinary I think so far.

“I know they have good players, and that if they turn up they could make it very difficult, but so have we and I think we are in the right mood to give them a game. I’m confident we can get a draw at least out of it.

“I thought Ukraine played better against Germany than they did against us, and that was because we didn’t let them play. I think we can do the same with the Germans.”

If Northern Ireland make it through to the last 16, there is a strong possibility they could face England or hosts France in their first knockout game.

“We are well on the way. Groups D, E and F all look very favourable for us. If the results go the right way we might not even need a result [against Germany].

“I think Michael will start with the same sort of line-up. I don’t think he will make too many changes after that performance. Kyle still has a big part to play.

“I think Kyle could come off the bench and cause a problem when you need him.

“People can run out of steam and I saw Conor [Washington] run out of steam and then Jamie Ward, so you need the like of Niall McGinn and Josh Magennis to come on and do a bit, so Kyle still has a big part to play.”

The only time the countries have come face-to-face at a major tournament was during the World Cup 1958 in Sweden.

They drew 2-2 in a group stage encounter and both teams progressed to the quarter-finals.