WATCH: 'We're positive ... anything's possible' : Dallas on Northern Ireland's Euro campaign

Leeds star is guest on our Facebook and Podcast Football Show - along with Jordan Jones and Steve Harper

Stuart Dallas
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 20th Mar 2019
Last updated 20th Mar 2019

Stuart Dallas believes Northern Ireland’s confidence has not been hit by the poor Nations League campaign.

Michael O’Neill’s side lost all four games and were relegated to League C.

But the Leeds winger says the players are in high spirits and fully focused for this week’s Euro qualifiers.

"The boys are positive,” “There's nobody coming here under pressure thinking, 'we didn't get the results, we need to do this, we need to do that.'

“It's been relaxed, but come game day on Thursday we need to be ready."

The 27-year-old was speaking as a guest on our BetMcLean Euros Special show (in partnership with NIFL), now available to view on Cool FM’s Facebook page (see link below) and to download as a podcast.

First up for Northern Ireland is Estonia on Thursday followed by Belarus on Sunday.

Both games are at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.

Dallas says preparations have been good.

"I think in terms of peformances, we showed that we're still moving in the right direction,” he said.

“There were new faces brought in, and there was a freshness to the squad. Perhaps it was a chance to try a few new things. Certainly there were some positives we can take from those games into this campaign."

And he believes “anything is possible” in their bid for Euro qualification.

"I think we've shown in the previous Euros campagin and the World Cup campaign, if you build that momentum anything is possible,” he said.

“Certainly, if we can get maximum points out of those games it leaves the big teams coming to Windsor and it wouldn't be a nice place for them to come to.

"A lot of people will look at it and think Northern Ireland have no chance, facing Holland and Germany. But I think the way the fixtures have fallen gives us a good opportunity to build momentum. I think Estonia and Belarus are 2 games we have to win."

Dallas says the players will have to bring more clinical aggression into their game if they are to progress.

"I think we've got to take our chances,” he said.

“We've got to be more ruthless.

“We've defended well, and if we can take our chances then the results will come."

Steve Harper

Also guesting are Jordan Jones and new goalkeeping coach Steve Harper (above).