Michael McArdle clear Northern Ireland 'should always dream' of sealing historic World Cup spot

McArdle, who is currently head of elite women's football at the Scottish FA and also enjoyed a spell as the senior team’s interim boss last year, was named as Tanya Oxtoby’s permanent successor earlier this month.

Former Dungannon Swifts chief Kris Lindsay was in charge for Northern Ireland’s opening two World Cup qualifying matches – a pair of defeats to group favourites Switzerland and Turkiye.

Finishing third or above in League B will secure a place in the play-offs for Northern Ireland and keep their World Cup hopes alive as they look to qualify for the major tournament for the first time.

McArdle’s first match in charge will be a home clash against Malta, who also started their campaign with consecutive losses, on April 14 before travelling to the same opposition four days later.

"We should always dream and strive to be there,” he told BBC Sport NI. “It is then the job of me and the players and staff to do our best to get there.

"A big piece is if we achieve it, can we do it consistently? That is why the future and alignment is crucial, so we do not just achieve luckily, but we earn that right and do it the right way to do it consistently.

"We are looking at six points and have to have that expectation of ourselves, hopefully at the close of that window, we work well and earn those six points. The next window will be the crucial one for us to hopefully target second place."

McArdle feels his previous experience aligns perfectly with helping Northern Ireland’s exciting new squad reach the next level.

"I am hugely proud and excited to be here," he added. "I know a lot about the players, the squad and the exciting pieces of potential both of the senior players and also the young, exciting talent which is growing through the pipeline.

"That is why my skills align - I develop players and coaches and I develop myself through that."