Michael O'Neill staying wary despite Northern Ireland's promising promotion position in Nations League

Michael O'Neill is not taking anything for granted in the Nations League promotion battle and has warned his players they will face a tough final game against Luxembourg on Monday.

Northern Ireland are firmly in the driving seat to get out of League C Group 3 after Friday's 2-0 home win over Belarus left them two points clear of Bulgaria, and a draw at the Stade de Luxembourg will be enough to secure top spot.

Luxembourg sit bottom of the group, the only side without a win after five games, but O'Neill believes that is not a true reflection of their strength.

"We'll play a good team," he said. "Luxembourg have been unlucky in the group. Apparently they played well again (in Friday's 1-0 loss to Bulgaria). They have just had narrow defeats.

"I know the coach (Luc Holtz) well. He's been in place a long time, (for 14) years, so I think they have really developed as a country and as a team. I don't expect an easy game at all."

Winning the group would cap an excellent 12 months for Northern Ireland. After a difficult Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, they have not looked back since ending it with a 2-0 win over Denmark in Belfast last November.

"They (players have) had experiences over the last 12 months, we played the European champions (Spain) away from home and have seen the highest level, and then got good results in Scotland and Romania and had good results in this National League," O'Neill said.

"And I think that will prepare them for what comes ahead. What will come will be a higher level of opposition when we get into the World Cup qualifiers.

"We're playing in League C and in World Cup qualifying we'll have to play against teams from League A and League B and if we're going to have a chance we're going to have to finish in the