Hummels admits he 'loves' Northern Ireland's underdog story

Paris - Germany defender Mats Hummels admitted on Monday that he has been charmed by Northern Ireland's exploits at Euro 2016, but he is determined to deny Tuesday's opponent a fairytale victory in Paris.

The two teams face off at Parc des Princes in their final Group C game, with world champion Germany requiring a point to secure a place in the last 16.

Hummels could find himself up against Conor Washington, who was working as a postman as recently as 2012, and the Borussia Dortmund centre-back said that he was familiar with the Queens Park Rangers striker's background.

"I heard that story. I love stories like that," he told Germany's pre-match media conference.

"We know they live off the emotions and are supported by their fans. I think one-tenth of Northern Ireland is present here.

"It's more difficult for us. We can't transport eight million people here! But that just shows how much emotion there is."

Another Northern Irish striker to have captured the imagination is Will Grigg, whose 'Will Grigg's on Fire!' chant has become one of the soundtracks to the tournament despite the fact he is yet to play.

The chant, sung to the tune of the 1996 club anthem 'Freed from Desire' by Italian singer Gala, spawned a YouTube prank in which a group of Northern Irish fans supposedly called a fire station to report that Wigan Athletic striker Grigg was in flames.

An approving Hummels said: "I've heard about the firefighters' call. I love that story.

"I'll maybe try to give him my jersey. I don't want them to score, but I'm a great fan of his."

Asked if he could sing the song, Hummels replied: "I'm maybe the worst singer in this team, so I won't do that."