Nicholl is urging O’Neill to stay on but Scots confident they can tempt him away

THE Scottish Football Association have made their move for Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill and are confident they will get their man.

The Scots are well aware that they will face competition for O’Neill’s services from other nations such as the USA and clubs, including English Championship side Sunderland, who, like the SFA, have made an official approach to the Irish FA for the 48-year-old, but they believe their project will have greater appeal to the ex-Hibs and Dundee United star.

And that includes staying on as Northern Ireland boss despite the Irish FA putting together a package to not only increase his £500,000-per-year salary but also extend his contract by two years until 2022.

The Green and White Army are anxiously awaiting developments but they aren’t alone as O’Neill’s backroom team, including his assistant Jimmy Nicholl, are hoping the man in charge has staying power.

“I’m hoping Michael stays on and I’ve certainly got the hunger and desire to stay in my role but we are all waiting to see what his decision is,” said Nicholl. “I believe the squad can qualify for a major tournament again and the senior players who may have been thinking of retiring can stay on and help us do that.

“Michael may look at new players coming in like Jordan Jones and George Saville and think we can enjoy more success. I’ve no idea what Michael’s next move will be but it would be a massive blow if he left and I certainly believe that he can take Northern Ireland to another big tournament.”

It was during the Euro 2016 finals that Scottish officials first started looking enviously at Northern Ireland and how O’Neill (right) had revived his home country’s fortunes, guiding them to a first major tournament since 1986.

Scotlandwerethe only home nation who failed to qualify The former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper has been in charge of St Johnstone since 2013.

He won the Scottish Cup in 2014 having also claimed the Irish League Cup with Lisburn Distillery in 2011 and was Michael O’Neill’s goalkeeping coach when the pair were at Shamrock Rovers. Under Wright, who won 31 caps for Northern Ireland, St Johnstone finished fourth in the SPL last season, although they lost to Lithuanian side FK Trakai in Europa League qualifying. Wright made his first move into management in 2003 at Limavady United before moving on to Ballymena United. At Lisburn Distillery he guided the Whites to a top-six finish as well as the memorable League Cup triumph.

for France and questions were raised how O’Neill could deliver success for a smaller nation like Northern Ireland, yet Gordon Strachan was failing to bring thesamejoytotheTartanArmy.

Strachan, appointed by the SFA in 2013, survived a poor starttothe2018WorldCupqualifying campaign to see out 10 group matches and finish third in the table but O’Neill’s name was being linked to the post.

Once Strachan was sacked last month after not taking Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998, the SFA, led by Chief Executive Stewart Regan, decided O’Neill was their No.1 choice.

They couldn’t move for the Edinburgh-based Open University graduate, however, until after Northern Ireland’s World Cup playoff with Switzerland.

Regan and his fellow suits in Scotland were watching as Northern Ireland were Northern Ireland’s 36-goal record scorer has made a successful start in management after guiding Linfield to the treble last season.

Under Healy, who took over the reins from fellow former international Warren Feeney, the Blues won the Danske Bank Premiership, Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield, although they are currently 11 points adrift of leaders Coleraine in their title defence this season and lost out to fellow Ulsterman Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in Champions League qualifying.

The former Manchester United, Fulham and Sunderland star retired from playing in 2013 having won 95 caps for Northern Ireland and is likely to have fans’ support from the start.

eliminated in heartbreaking and controversial circumstances with the deciding goal coming from a penalty that shouldn’t have been.

The SFA contacted the IFA yesterday to make an official approach.

Regan is leading the charge. He has been criticised in Scotland for some of his decision making in recent times and feels that persuading O’Neill to come on board would earn him some much needed kudos amongst others in the Scottish FA, the fans and the demanding media.

Scotland’s desire to land O’Neill is such that they are willing to offer him a four-year deal that could be worth double his current wage with big bonuses for qualifying for major tournaments. The SFA are also prepared to listen to and act on his advice on how they move forward from the youth ranks through to the senior side.

While it is understood the SFA have told IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson there is no immediate rush in speaking to O’Neill, they would love to be in a position to make an announcement prior to the festive season.

O’Neill, astute, shrewd and He would be considered a huge outsider and may be off the market by the time the Northern Ireland vacancy opens, if indeed it does.

The former England boss has been heavily linked to the Everton post having left Crystal Palace at the end of last season, although it has been reported that he has pulled out of the running for the Goodison Park job after initial talks.

A shot at international redemption, after losing the England job after just one game following an undercover newspaper investigation last year, may be hard to resist and the USA job could also be an option for the former West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton Wanderers boss.

now a legendary sporting figure in Northern Ireland, will weigh up his options.

Northern Ireland players, fans and the IFA are keen that he stays and has a shot at guiding the team to the Euro 2020 finals, but there is also an acceptance that if he chooses to move on he will do so with their gratitude.

He is a manager who likes time to build. It is telling that the Scottish FA feel they can provide him with that opportunity more than clubs in England or Scotland, where Rangers are keeping an eye on developments.

Regarding club management, O’Neillhasalwayssaidhewould like a stable environment which raises questions about Sunderland.Ontheupside,theonlyway is up for the north east outfit.

Yesterday, O’Neill became one of the hottest properties in football. It came exactly 22 years on from his finest match in a green shirt when he scored twice in a 5-3 victory over Austria at Windsor Park, yet as an international player he’ll tell you he never lived up to his full potential. As a manager he has been magnificent. It’s no wonder so many want him as their leader.