Northern Ireland have qualified for the 2018 World Cup play-offs

NORTHERN IRELAND have qualified for the 2018 World Cup play-offs after Scotland drew and crashed out.

Scotland missed out on a World Cup play-off on goal difference after an agonising draw in Slovenia but that meant another step toward Russia for Michael O'Neill's team. Leigh Griffiths angled in a volley on Sunday evening but Roman Bezjak punished poor defending with a brace before Robert Snodgrass levelled late on to give Scotland false hope.

That result means Ireland have made the play-offs as one of the eight best second-placed teams.

A win away at Norway on Sunday night could also count toward making them seeded.

But they also run the risk of players getting booked and suspended for the first play-off match. The highest four teams in the October 16 Fifa rankings will be seeded.

But Jonny Evans, Steven Davis, Corry Evans, Oliver Norwood, Stuart Dallas and Josh Magennis are all on one caution going into Sunday's final Group C match.

Manager Michael O’Neill said: “I have to do the right thing and the right thing is to try and win the game.”

And goalkeeper Michael McGovern added: “I think everyone will keep a cool head.

"At times in football you get booked for small things, especially in international football.

"The bookings carry on into the play-offs so it is incredibly harsh - but it was good we didn't pick up any cards against Germany.

"We have such a small squad, we cannot afford to lose too many players."

From The Sun