Kenny Shiels believes Northern Ireland can draw inspiration from the country's football heroes of 1982. It is 40 years since Billy Bingham's side defeated hosts Spain at the 1982 World Cup.
Members of that squad recently held a reunion to recall that balmy night in Valencia, when a shock victory sent Bingham's underdogs to the knockout stages of the tournament. How Shiels would love to emulate that feat with his Class of 2022.
They also face the host nation in their Euros group, with a final pool game against England potentially determining Northern Ireland's fate. It will be a baptism of fire for Shiels and his players, but it is a challenge they are relishing.
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He said: "I always get inspiration from 1982. It was a great achievement by Northern Ireland. I think every achievement by Northern Ireland, people should feel that.
"I certainly feel proud of what Northern Ireland have done. Billy Bingham, and all of the them.
"For me, to be in a position to represent my country is a great feeling. And I have nothing but pride in what we have done in the past, in the men's game."
Shiels accepts his Northern Ireland side will be "massive underdogs" against Norway, Austria and England in Group A. But while the odds will be stacked against them in all three games, Shiels has urged his players to "seize the moment".
He added: "We are not going to make up the numbers. Our first priority is to try and win a game – we have three games, and if we win two of them then more or likely we will reach the quarter-finals.
"But when you look at the opposition, winning one game will be very tough. It is not beyond the realms of possibility but we are massive underdogs.
"As long as we give our best and are totally committed to representing our country, then we can walk away with our heads held high."
Northern Ireland will make history at this summer's Euros. It is the first time the country will have played at a major finals.
Shiels and his players have already written their names large in the country's footballing history, but the manager isn't going to make up the numbers in England.
Asked what the message will be to his players ahead of Thursday's opening game against Norway, Shiels said: "The next two weeks of your lives will be these three matches. Don't miss it.
"If you start to worry about not playing well, you won't play well. We have to relay the message that this is something that won't make or break us.
"We will go out and give our best, and if we do that and are totally committed to do something to represent Northern Ireland, then that's what is important, not the result of the match.
"All I want them to do is try to be their best, and if they do that then we can walk away with their heads held high. If we are beaten, so be it."
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