O'Neill hints at return of players

Published Friday, 03 February 2012

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill officially started work on Friday - it marks the start of a new era for the team and could also mean the return of some former players.

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O'Neill, who was appointed as Nigel Worthington's successor in December, says he has an open mind about players who qualify for the international squad.

Burnley defender Michael Duff, for example, hasn't worn the green shirt for almost four years now despite being a regular in the English Championship.

"I watched Michael Duff play the other night against Nottingham Forest," O'Neill told UTV at the Irish FA headquarters in Belfast.

We're not in a position where I think we can exclude any players at this stage
Michael O'Neill

"I thought he was very good, excellent game and as I say, I have someone now in Scotland covering games so Dean Shields and players that haven't been in the squad will all be evaluated over the coming weeks.

"That's what we have to do and when we put squads together, that we do it with as much information on all the players that we have available."

O'Neill said he has also watched David Healy, who is now getting regular first team football and scoring goals for Rangers.

He continued: "I saw David play the other week against Aberdeen.

"He's been on the score sheet regularly in the last few weeks and Rangers are in a situation where you know they have sold strikers as well so hopefully that will lead to David getting more and more regular first team football.

"As long as he keeps sticking the ball in the net for Rangers, I'm sure he'll continue to hold down his place."

Michael O'Neill's first game in charge of Northern Ireland is a friendly against Norway, which will take place at Windsor Park on 29 February.

Comments

3 Comments

Dave in Banbridge wrote (110 days ago):

Kevin as a huge NI fan, I think we will more than likely lose the first game to Norway and a few more after that, Michael will get plenty of time from the fans, morale among fans is low as is expectation, so its a good place for him to start. As long as he abandons the negative formations and style of football that Nigel brought in and stops telling the players that they are not good enough as Nigel kept doing then the fans will be happy.

s magowan in belfast wrote (110 days ago):

I think that Michael will get the backings from the NI fans.He deserves the chance as he was a great player in his day and he has proved with Shamrock Rovers that he can be a successful also as a manager

Kevin in Belfast wrote (111 days ago):

I wonder how the NI fans will react if he loses his first game norway. I do appreciate that you get a grace period for settling in, but what if it all goes the same way that it did with worthington?