Northern Ireland

Steven Davis: 'Northern Ireland squad getting stronger'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior ReporterPublished: 12 November 2015 5:47 PM

Steven Davis talks up the importance of Northern Ireland maintaining momentum into next summer, which he believes will only improve the squad as a whole.

Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis has claimed that competition for places in the squad will only now increase after securing a place at Euro 2016.

The Green and White Army booked their spot in next summer's finals in style, having claimed top spot in qualifying Group F.

It will mark Northern Ireland's first ever appearance at the Euros, and Davis is now hoping to see the momentum continue into next year as his side prepare to welcome Latvia in the first of their warm-up fixtures.

"We've talked many times before about momentum in football and we want to keep hitting the standards we set," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "These games are important in our preparation.

"One thing that's definitely improved in the squad over the last campaign is the intensity in training. The competition for places is getting stronger and that will continue to be the case, because people are going to be desperate to go to the Euros."

Northern Ireland have lost just one of their eight games so far this calendar year.