Saint-Georges-de-Reneins (France) (AFP) – Despite scoring seven goals to help Northern Ireland qualify for Euro 2016, hot-shot striker Kyle Lafferty says there is no guarantee he will start against world champions Germany on Tuesday.

The goals scored by the 28-year-old Norwich City ace were a key factor in Northern Ireland reaching the European championships finals for the first time.

But having started in their 1-0 opening defeat to Poland, the striker was left on the bench on Thursday when the Irish sealed a historic 2-0 win over Ukraine in Group C.

“It’s never been about me,” said Lafferty.

“My position in the team was never guaranteed and what happened in Lyon proved that.”

Michael O’Neill prefered Queens Park Rangers’ Conor Washington up front against Ukraine in one of five changes from the side which lost to Poland.

A flying header from defender Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn’s injury-time strike handed the Irish their first ever Euros finals victory leaving everything to play for against Germany.

And Lafferty says all that matters is getting the result to make the last 16 — not whether he starts against the world champions.

“I still have to work my absolute socks off in training.

“We’re looking forward to Germany.

“None of the lads deserve to be dropped after the performance they put in, they deserve another chance against the world champions.”

It’s been nearly 33 years since the last of Northern Ireland’s two wins over Germany, who are heavy favourites for the Parc de Princes clash.

“It’s a difficult match, they are world champions for a reason,” admitted Lafferty,

“They have amazing players, some of the best players and defenders in the world, but if we turn up the way we turned up (against Ukraine), they are going to be worried.

“We have lost one game in 13, so it’s going to be an exciting match and a massive one for us.

“My goals got us to Euro 2016, but they don’t mean anything.

“It’s about us getting over the finish line (reaching the last 16), we’re here and we want to stay here.”