Northern Ireland won't get a point, believes Ray Wilkins

By Ray Wilkins, Football Expert

Image: Northern Ireland players training ahead of Euro 2016 opener

Ray Wilkins has said that he can't see Northern Ireland getting a single point from their group at Euro 2016.

Michael O'Neill's side finished top of their qualifying group to make it to their first ever European Championship.

But in their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, they were drawn in an tough group which includes world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine.

And Wilkins believes it's a big ask for them to get anything from any of their three group games.

"Look at the group they're in, with Poland, Germany and Ukraine, [even England] wouldn't like to be in that, let alone these guys," Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ. 

Advertisement
Image: Northern Ireland face Poland in their opening game

"So it's going to be extremely tough for them, if they pick up a couple of points they would have done very well indeed, but those three are exceptional sides.

"I don't see them getting a point, I think this group is too big for them. The Poles with [Robert] Lewandowski up front are an extremely good side, Ukraine always have wonderfully gifted players and the Germans are playing hot and cold at the moment, but when they get to a tournament they're [usually] tournament-honed. 

Also See:

As Northern Ireland prepare to face Poland in their first group game of Euro 2016, we look back at Will Grigg's best League One goals from last season

"I'd be absolutely thrilled if Northern Ireland could take a point off one of those. If they can get that really solid unit and perform to the max then they could get a point. 

"[O'Neill] has done a terrific job just to qualify when you think of the resources that they have. They qualified outright and seem to be a really good bunch of guys, [although] not too many Premier League players.

"He's got them extremely well organised and hopefully they'll do really well but it's just a really tall order for them."

Check our minute-by-minute updates from every single Northern Ireland game at Euro 2016 on skysports.com/football, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportsfootball.

By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.

Outbrain