McIlroy demands no let up from young squad
He is anxious his young charges avoid the wooden spoon in group six but Northern Ireland go into the match against Ukraine on Saturday in Donetsk still looking for their first win after failing to score in 972 minutes.
The squad were assembling yesterday at their Templepatrick base outside Belfast and face a five-hour flight this morning.
Northern Ireland follow the match in Ukraine by entertaining Armenia next Wednesday. They round off their qualifying campaign by travelling to Greece next month.
McIlroy said: "There is something to play for in all three matches. They are not run-of-the-mill games Ukraine and Greece could still qualify ahead of Spain.
"Armenia is also a big match for us. When we went there we should have won by half-time. Instead we lost it late on and were left with a terrible feeling. I want to turn that around."
McIlroy has taken heart from the draw with Spain in June and vowed to stick with his international rookies. Only keeper Maik Taylor and midfielder Michael Hughes, both set to start on Saturday, are over 30.
McIlroy may decide to go with a lone striker and Glentoran's Andy Smith could get the vote after his fine display against Spain. The 22-year-old old part-timer was not overawed despite winning only his second cap and McIlroy said: "Smith is a grafter and has settled in well with the rest of the boys.
"If players are doing the business in the Irish League I won't hesitate to put them in.
"I know there is a problem getting goals but I would be a lot more worried if we were not creating chances."
McIlroy has seen his squad reduced to 18 players with Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll and Hibernian defender Colin Murdock withdrawing through injury.
