Possible departures and retirements haven’t even

WITH Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill continually linked with other managerial roles and some players expected to retire at the end of this campaign, there’s a fear that this green and white bubble could soon burst.

A failure to make it to the World Cup finals in Russia next summer would now be a heartbreaking disappointment, and if Switzerland win the play-off battles it will spark fresh concern that O’Neill and some of his elder statesmen like Gareth McAuley, Aaron Hughes and Chris Brunt may leave the international stage.

O’Neill’s contract includes the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, but he has been strongly linked with the vacant Scotland position.

Should Northern Ireland’s World Cup journey end this week, this group of players and management may experience a shake-up, but striker Josh Magennis says it’s not occupying minds at the moment.

“It’s probably people from the outside looking in, thinking some players are getting on and who is there coming through?” said the Charlton frontman. “But there’s been no talk from any of the lads who are older. Hughesy (Aaron Hughes) did retire but came back.

“The boys are just enjoying being away with each other. We genuinely have a serious relationship with each other. We enjoy each other’s company.

“It’ll come down to Michael and each individual player. They’ll have their own conversations.

“But we’ve been progressing, and I can’t see anyone saying that would be it. Why call it a day when international football is on such a high and we’re competing to reach major tournaments? I’ve never thought, ‘I wonder if such and such will retire after this?’.