QPR striker Conor Washington is confident he can help Northern Ireland qualify for a first World Cup finals in more than 30 years.

Washington was part of the side which beat the Czech Republic 2-0 last night to secure second place in Group C and all but secure a play-off place as one of the best eight runners-up.

But even with the job pretty much done, Washington urged his team-mates not to rest in their laurels in their final group games against Germany and Norway.

“The aim is just to get results in the next two games now really,” said Washington. “We want to go into the play-offs in good form and don't want to let our feet off the gas now, struggle for two games and try to gee ourselves up.

On his way to Russia? Washington in action for Northern Ireland

“You want to go on a good run like we have been throughout the whole group stage. You look at the game tonight – the amount of possession they had was ridiculous, but I don't think Michael McGovern had a save to make – and even if he had to he would have made it anyway.

“But we know what we're good at, and Germany is obviously going to be another tough one, but if we can execute a game plan like we did tonight there's no reason why we can't get a result.”

Although he has struggled for goals since joining the Rs from Peterborough a year and a half ago, Washington has been more prolific for his country, bagging three goals in 10 internationals.

Rs fans will be hoping he will have more days in a hooped shirt like the opening day of the season, when he notched both goals in the 2-0 win over Reading.

Although he has endured a few lean spells, Washington had credited Rs boss Ian Holloway with helping restore his confidence.

“He put his arm around me as soon as I came through the door,” said Washington. “His first or second day he took me into his office and told me he would have signed me if he was the manager at the time.

“It was a big boost for me after a really disappointing time. He got the video guys to put clips together of every goal I’ve scored in the past 15 months.

“It was about ten minutes of video, but that included the celebrations as well. It was nice to look back and see what I’d done. It was really important and reminded me, ‘OK, I am good enough to play at this level'.”