Baraclough the right choice as my NI successor, insists O’neill

IAN Baraclough is the right man to take Northern Ireland forward, according to Michael O’neill.

Former Under-21 boss Baraclough has stepped into the senior role after O’neill quit to focus on his Stoke City job.

O’neill is in Belfast this week with the Potters playing Linfield in a behind-closed-doors friendly this afternoon.

“Ian was a sensible appointment,” said O’neill. “It was a difficult choice because there were a lot of good candidates and I’d worked with nearly all of them in some shape or form. Any would have been a good appointment.

“Ian had been in the Association, he had worked with the Under-21s and been up with the full squad, so he had a familiarity with a number of the staff and with a number of the players.

“He probably had a head start, but he is a very good appointment. It is a very short campaign if you look at how the games have been condensed because of Covid. Having someone who has their feet under the table is an advantage. I wish him well and think he has the capabilities to do a really good job.”

After a Nations League double-header against Norway and Romania in September, Baraclough’s side are away to Bosnia-herzegovina in a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final on October 8.

The winner will host either the Republic of Ireland or Slovakia for a place in next summer’s finals, and O’neill, who led NI to Euro 2016 in France, believes the team can qualify again.

“Bosnia away will be a tough game, but when you have the opportunity of a home final it is a massive incentive,” O’neill said.

“The big thing for Ian is that he has all his key players available and in tip-top shape. They are not getting any younger but are still a massive influence.”