Exclusive: Former Northern Ireland International Grant McCann Backs Country to End 40-Year World Cup Wait

Former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann has backed his country to end their 40-year wait for a World Cup ticket, and continue Italy's nightmare at the same time.

The Green and White Army were handed a mightily-tough task when they were drawn against the four-time winners in the European play-off draw. 

Michael O'Neill's side will have to navigate their way past the Azzurri, away from home, in a semi-final, before a potential final against either Wales or Bosnia if they are to reach the expanded, 48-team extravaganza next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Whilst the odds will be stacked against them, NI are used to upsetting the apple cart in the past. They famously reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1958, toppled Spain in 1982 and got through the group stages at their last major tournament, Euro 2016. 

And they will next come up against an Italy side who are staring down the barrel of missing out on an unprecedented THIRD straight World Cup. 

ANYTHING POSSIBLE

McCann, who won 39 caps during his international playing days, reckons anything is possible as his country targets a first appearance on football's grandest stage since Mexico in 1986.

"You never know, do you?," Doncaster Rovers chief McCann said after the next stage of the World Cup qualifying draw was made on Thursday.

"Look, it's a one-off game against Italy and I don't think that they are pulling up any trees at this moment in time."

"But what I do know is that Michael has a real young, energetic team there. In their last game they were without three important midfield players, but if he can have the whole group available then you never know."

"Michael's got good experience so I give them a real good chance to go out there to Italy and get something."

McCann, now aged 45, was just six years-old the last time Northern Ireland were at a World Cup. Their showing in 1986 saw them exit at the group stage after taking one point from a possible nine against Brazil, Spain and Algeria.

Whilst he has vague recollections of that tournament, he has to rely on grainy footage of the 1982 spectacle when NI famously finished top of their group with a famous Gerry Armstrong-inspired win over Spain. 

TREASURED MEMORY

That remains a treasured memory for the country but McCann wants the current group to end that long, long wait for a return to the top table and start making fresh memories.

"I look forward to the game when it comes around next March," added McCann. 

"I just hope Michael has his best players available so he'll be praying and hoping there's no injuries around that time given the gruelling nature of the EFL."

McCann, his staff and squad of players took in the draw prior to training, and with good reason. As well as McCann's affinities, his coaching staff includes assistant Cliff Byrne (Republic of Ireland, also in the play-offs) and goalkeeping coach Kyle Letheren (Wales).

McCann quipped: "I spoke to the lads and asked them all if they had to pick a nation from Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which one would you want to qualify for the World Cup?"

"And about 65, 70 per cent of the squad said Northern Ireland!"

"Big Kyle Letheren was laughing when we got drawn to Italy away but then he looked and saw that if Wales beat Montenegro they could play Italy or Northern Ireland so he wasn't laughing after that!"

"It'd be amazing if we could get there," he concluded.