Northern Ireland ready to embrace Aviva Stadium stage

Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby says there's "no pressure" on her team as they are prepare to embrace the Aviva Stadium stage.

Oxtoby took the reins in mid-August, ending an eight-month period in which the North had no permanent successor to Kenny Shiels, who departed last January.

The Australian previously served as Emma Hayes' assistant at Chelsea, and brings plenty of experience and nous to the role. But her first game at the helm is a real challenge - a blockbuster UEFA Nations League derby against the Republic of Ireland in front of a huge crowd at Lansdowne Road.

The FAI said on Friday that over 38,000 tckets had been sold for the occasion, and Oxtoby is confident her team - 23 places lower than their hosts in the world rankings - will rise to it.

"The pressure is not necessarily on us," she said.

"We're coming here to test ourselves against a team that's come from a major tournament, [which is] where we want to be. From our point of view there’s going to be some fantastic parts to the game, there’s going to be parts where we’re going to learn a fair bit about where we’re at, so we’re comfortable with that I think.

"Whilst it’s going to be a fantastic occasion, and there’s going to be a little bit of nerves which is completely normal and natural, there’s no pressure as such from our point of view.

"One thing I know is these guys, they want to win. They are really competitive, even when they are out there playing table-tennis, the balls are flying everywhere. That’s the mentality and the mindset that we want in this group and that was the reason why I took this job."

Northern Ireland made it to the Euros in England last year under the guidance of Shiels, but a squad with large contingent of part-time players hasn't