Hendo: Ulster duo deserve Irish reward
MICHAEL O’Neill has urged his players to forget about fear and live their World Cup dreams.
Northern Ireland take on Switzerland at Windsor Park tonight in the first leg playoff with the prize a place in next summer’s World Cup finals.
It’s the biggest game in Belfast since the 1-0 World Cup
qualifying win over Israel in 1981 and O’Neill is hoping his men will still have a fighting chance of making it to Russia when the second leg kicks off in Basel on Sunday.
“The thing I would say is not to fear the situation but to embrace it and make sure that, whatever happens, you don’t have any regrets,” said the Northern Ireland boss.
“We all know the prize is massive and there is a self-belief that has grown over the past three or four years in this squad.
“I see in the squad an opportunity that they don’t want to waste.”
O’Neill’s vice-captain Jonny Evans (left) added: “When it comes to crunch time, we’ve been able to stand up and produce big moments.
“That gives us an extra sense of composure and belief in the squad.” IAIN Henderson believes international involvement for his Ulster team-mates Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey this month will be just reward for their form at Kingspan Stadium.
Ahead of Saturday’s tussle with South Africa (5.30pm kickoff ), Joe Schmidt names his first team of the autumn this afternoon, and it would be a surprise if both men didn’t add to their caps over the next three weeks when Fiji and Argentina are also in town.
Stockdale, who made his Ireland debut last summer, has picked up right where he left off this season, while McCloskey is back in the fold having not been involved with the national side since making his bow against England in 2016.
“Obviously they’ve been doing well for Ulster this season,” said Henderson.
“I think Joe recognises that and that’s why they’re here.
“To get them working into the way he plays, to get them integrated in, I’d imagine that will be the biggest thing.”
IAIN’S SCORE TO SETTLE: P44-45