Steven Davis says Northern Ireland have nothing to fear, as they enter the knockout stages of EURO 2016.
Michael O’Neill’s team face Wales in the last 16 this afternoon, at the Parc des Princes, in Paris (5pm BST), with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake.
Davis is set to captain the side again, as they look to continue their fairytale run in France.
Northern Ireland have never played at a European Championship finals before, while this is their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup, but Southampton midfielder Davis believes their dream run, which saw them qualify from Group G, doesn’t have to end now.
"I think we’ll have more possession than we have done in the previous games,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll face a tougher test than we did here the other night against the Germans, so we’re looking forward, we’re familiar with the stadium.
"We know we can carry an attacking threat. Again, set plays will be big for us, and it’s about going out and showing that.
“I think if we get to the levels that we are capable of, then we fully believe that we can get ourselves into the next round."
Davis, speaking at a press conference, added: "A lot of our players are familiar with their players, and likewise, having played against or with them. So there’s going to be an edge to the game. The biggest thing being what’s riding on the game, and it’s one that everybody is looking forward to.
"Of course, everybody knows Gareth Bale is a special talent, and I think you only have to look at his contribution in terms of goals and assists in the last couple of years to see how important he is to the team. So he’s going to be one that we’re definitely going to have to try and stop.
"But they’ve got other threats as well. As much as we know about their strengths, we have to focus on ourselves and try and cause them some problems."
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