Former Huddersfield Town midfielder Oliver Norwood has no problem with Northern Ireland being seen as Euro 2016 underdogs.
Speaking from the squad’s training base North of Lyon in Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, he said: “We’ve proven we belong in the tournament - we won our qualifying group.
“If people want to see us like that then that’s up to them.
“We’re excited to be here, looking forward to the tournament and can’t wait to get going.”
Michael O’Neill’s side are in Group C with Germany, Ukraine and Poland.
None of the other 23 teams boast an unbeaten streak as long as Northern Ireland’s 12-game sequence, although Spain can equal it prior should they avoid defeat in their final warm-up game against Georgia.
Scenes from their record-breaking run adorn the walls at the training base and Reading player Norwood and Chris Baird conducted their press duties alongside some of the country’s most iconic images, including the Titanic Belfast museum and Giant’s Causeway.
“Everywhere we go, it’s all you can see - all the players - and it’s still sinking in that we’re finally here,” said 78-cap international Baird, of Derby County.
“We’ve done this as a team and it’s nice to see it spread about everywhere, whether it’s the games room, whether it’s in the bedrooms, it’s just everywhere.
“It’s nice to see it all around us.”
For Norwood, an England youth international who then declared himself available for Northern Ireland, the fact he is on the verge of a major international tournament with O’Neill’s side was something he did not envisage.
“Probably not,” replied the man who played for Town between 2012,when he joined from Manchester United, and 2014.
“Chris has had harder times than me, played a lot more games. Losing to Luxembourg, Azerbaijan - they were real low points. We addressed that and look where we are today.
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“It’s a testament to the players and the staff the amount of work that’s gone on behind the scenes why we are set here and looking forward to our first tournament in 30 years.”
Leeds United winger Stuart Dallas rejoined the squad on Sunday after missing the goalless friendly draw in Slovakia following his marriage.
