'We are in a very tough group' O'Neill verdict as NI drawn against might of Germany and Netherlands in Euros
Republic to face Denmark and Switzerland
Northern Ireland have it all to do after getting one of the toughest draws possible in the Euro 2020 group qualifiers.
Michael O’Neill’s side face the Netherlands and Germany as well as Belarus and Estonia.
Northern Ireland lost to Germany home and away in qualification for the 2018 World Cup and were beaten by Joachim Low's side at Euro 2016.
The rejuvenated Dutch - who finished top of a Nations League group containing Germany and France - last faced Northern Ireland in June 2012 in a match which finished 6-0 in favour of the Oranje.
O’Neill says it is a bitter pill to swallow.
“The fact that we ended up in that group – obviously we were not drawn in that group but we ended up in that group because of not being a host,” he added.
“The conditions around that are hard to take but the conditions of the draw were made before the draw was made.
“That is how UEFA put together the draw – as a result of this we are in a very tough group.”
The Republic were initially in Group C but they were moved because that group already contained two of the 12 host nations.
They are up against Denmark yet again. They faced the Danes in the Nations League earlier this year and lost to them in a World Cup play-off in the autumn of 2017.
Switzerland also underlined their strength by coming back from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 5-2 in a Nations League match last month.
Also in their group are Georgia and Gibraltar.