Michael O'Neill has reserved special praise for his captain Steven Davis after he inspired Northern Ireland to their historic 3-1 win over Greece in Belfast on Thursday night.

The Southampton midfielder opened the scoring on 35 minutes before sending his nation 3-0 up in the second half as they booked their ticket to Euro 2016 at Windsor Park last night.

Next summer's finals in France will be the nation's first major competition since the 1986 World Cup, and O'Neill could not speak highly enough about his skipper's role in the heroics.

"There's all types of captains, but for me Steven epitomises everything you want in a captain," O'Neill told a post-match press conference.

"He takes responsibility on the pitch, he drives the team forward, he's an example in terms of how he is as a professional, how he is as a person.

"I didn't expect him to score an 18-yard header if I'm honest, but I'm delighted for him to get the goal because in my opinion he's one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League, he's a top, top, top player and he showed that again tonight."

Northern Ireland will win Group F if they avoid defeat in their final qualifier away to Finland on Sunday.