Hume and his team-mates revelled in the electric atmosphere at the national stadium in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Slovakia with the Sunderland star scoring the crucial second goal late on in front of the Kop.
The former Linfield and Ballymena United defender says the support of the fans can inspire Michael O’Neill’s side in the crunch clash with the Germans who like Northern Ireland and Slovakia have six points midway through what has become a fascinating group.
“It’ll be a big occasion against Germany,” said defender Hume.
“The fans were excellent on Friday as they always are. All we can ask is they bring the noise again on Monday and push the lads as much as they can and we’ll go out and try and do our jobs and win.
“Everyone’s level now on six points. We’ll recover and we’ll get ready to go again on Monday and hopefully get a result.
Northern Ireland fans on the Kop during Friday night’s victory over Slovakia
“The game on Monday is even bigger than it was before.”
Versus Slovakia, O’Neill’s young guns were the superior side for most of the game and led early on through an own goal but didn’t put it to bed until Hume took advantage of some erratic goalkeeping from Martin Dubravka in the 81st minute to lob him from outside the box with a classy cushioned left foot volley.
Normally Hume is a star man at the back. On Friday he delivered at both ends of the pitch.
It was a glorious way to score his first international goal with Hume celebrating in front of the Kop where he last scored for Linfield.
Hume said: “I’ve went up to head the ball from the second phase from the corner and the goalkeeper (Dubravka) has come out and punched. He’s not in his net so I’ve tried to guide it towards the net and thankfully it’s gone in.
“It was a great moment and my first goal for Northern Ireland. I’m not much of a goalscorer so it’s not something I’d have thought of but it’s one of those moments you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. I had a lot of family there, my girlfriend, so it’s good to have them there to enjoy it and hopefully I can chip in with some more.”
Asked about the possibility of netting again in the German match, Hume smiled and replied: “I’ll try my best but it’ll be a tough test on Monday.”
On the performance in the victory over the Slovakians, Hume stated: “I thought we were outstanding. They probably had one chance in the second half and we created multiple. We deserved the three points and that’s the most important thing.
“We have to manage ourselves against certain teams, we know when we can press and when we have to sit in. We did both sides of the game against Slovakia.
Northern Ireland fans in the lower deck of the North Stand applaud the players
“At home we wanted to get after them and put them under pressure. We were able to do that, we got the first goal in the first half and the second goal at a good time.
“Throughout the week we spoke about getting a lot of pressure high up the pitch, bringing the game to them. We want to ask questions and work hard and were able to do that. Michael (O’Neill) gave us the game plan and all we had to do was go out and do that. I thought we did that excellently.”
Hume praised the entire team but had special words for skipper on the night, Conor Bradley.
“I thought the whole team was outstanding but Conor Bradley was the best player on the pitch by a mile in my opinion,” he said.
“Everyone was great but down that side him and Ethan (Galbraith) were outstanding, linking up, creating chances and getting us up the pitch.”
On Bradley’s second half booking which means the Liverpool ace misses the match against Germany, Hume commented: “It’s not ideal. We spoke before the game that the boys who were on yellows to try and not get another but it’s one of those things.
“You can’t go into a game trying not to get booked. You’ve got to play to your strengths. He’s full-throttle, he’s 100% all the time. Obviously we’re not happy but it’s one of those things that happens.”
Hume has faith though that Brodie Spencer, who impressed in a cameo substitute role on Friday, can come in and shine for the side in place of Bradley.
“You’ve seen Brodie play left wing-back, right wing-back, he’s even played in a back-three. We know how strong and athletic he is,” said Hume.
“Obviously Conor is going to be a big miss but we’re a big group, we’re a strong team and we’re all together, so it’s something we have to deal with and we’ll be ready.”