Jonny Evans: 'Business as usual' for West Brom's Northern Irish trio

It’s more than 30 years since Northern Ireland last reached the World Cup, but on Thursday they welcome Switzerland to Belfast for the first leg of their play-off for a place in Russia.

However, according to Baggies captain Jonny Evans, Michael O’Neill’s team are not letting the pressure get to them.

“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to,” said Evans. “We’re all really composed about it, I think that’s a good sign. I’ve got that impression from the lads that they’re relaxed.

“We’ve been here before in big situations, and produced. We’ve experienced that over the last couple of years. So it’s business as usual for us.

"When it came to the crunch time (in the past) we stood up and produced those moments. I think that gives us an extra sense of composure and belief in the squad.”

Northern Ireland dodged Italy and Croatia in the play-offs but Switzerland are hardly easy opponents. The Swiss won nine out of 10 World Cup qualifiers and Evans admitted his country were underdogs.

“I think we are yes,” he said. “Everyone would feel that way. Over the years we have been underdogs in the big moments. I’m not saying it suits us but we’re comfortable with it.”

Evans and Gareth McAuley experienced the European Championships last summer, when Northern Ireland reached the last 16.

But Chris Brunt was cruelly ruled out of that tournament with a cruciate knee injury sustained in a game for the Baggies.

Brunt dealt with the blow stoically, but he’s been a man possessed during these qualifiers. Northern Ireland won six out of seven following his return from injury with the Albion man scoring two and setting up two from left-back while keeping six clean sheets.

Michael O’Neill’s team have been built on a solid back-line, and three-quarters of that defence is Albion’s.

McAuley is 38 in under a month, and Brunt is 32 now, so there is an understandable concern in Ulster that it could be now or never for this golden generation of green and white players.

Northern Ireland’s players, however, disagree.

“It’s probably people from the outside looking in, thinking some players are getting on,” said Josh Magennis. “But there’s been no talk from any of the lads who are older.

“The boys are just enjoying being away with each other. We genuinely have a serious relationship with each other. We enjoy each other’s company.

“It’ll come down to Michael and each individual player. They’ll have their own conversations. But we’ve been progressing, and I can’t see anyone saying that would be it.

“Why call it a day when international football is on such a high and we’re competing to reach major tournaments? I’ve never thought, ‘I wonder if such and such will retire after this?’.”

The first leg is at 7.45m on Thursday, November 9, in Belfast. The second leg is at 5pm on Sunday, November 12, in Basel.