WE’LL BE OK BECAUSE I’M GOOD
O’neill insists he can turn results around
MARTIN O’NEILL has vowed to have the last laugh on his critics by declaring: “I’ll win.”
The under-fire Republic of Ireland boss admits he is facing the biggest challenge of his five-year reign.
Ireland have lost three and drawn two of their last five competitive games and have just one win in their last nine. But he is convinced he will secure Euro 2020 qualification and when asked what that confidence was built on he said: “Because I’m good.”
Pressed again if he will deliver the goods, a bullish O’neill merely said: “I’ll win.” He continued: “Regardless of
AFTER the flirtation with Stoke City in January, Martin O’neill claimed he could not walk away from Ireland on the back of the 5-1 defeat to Denmark.
But having overseen the worst run of results since 2007, you wouldn’t be long rounding up a posse now to wave him off.
Tuesday’s damaging loss to Wales was Ireland’s fifth competitive game without a win, although O’neill was quick to point to the one defeat in 11 before that.
But that was then and this is now.
And yet O’neill is not for moving. Those paying to watch his team feel drained but, if anything, the backlash has only energised the manager.
“Every single defeat I’ve ever had, I’ve hurt,” he says. “It’s hurting the players as well too so that’s some sort of encouragement.
“I don’t think I could have made a career out of management if I didn’t have hunger and determination.
“It’s a difficult time for us trying to eke out results. We’ve got to try to find that elusive goal or goals to win matches.
“But I think we’ve certainly improved since Saturday night – we could easily have won against Wales.”
Armed with a new January contract reportedly worth €1.9 million a year, he knows the cash-strapped FAI would have to pony up to sack him.
There is nothing – as yet – to suggest there is an appetite within the corridors of power to pull the trigger on this managerial ticket.
O’neill and Roy Keane were hired in late 2013 to get Ireland to major finals and they ticked that box first time around before falling at the final hurdle with the next push.
O’neill must wonder what more people want?
But results dictate. Some fans booed at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday and once they turn, managers soon discover they are swimming against the tide.
Relegation from the second tier of the Nations League could be confirmed before Ireland kick a ball in Denmark next month.
If the Danes get a result in Cardiff three days before hosting Ireland, that fate will be sealed – although that won’t determine O’neill’s. Only a Wales win and then three points for Ireland in Aarhus will keep the Boys in Green up and in turn guarantee second seed status in December’s Euro 2020 draw.
But if Ireland lose heavily in Denmark, the FAI have a decision to make over Christmas whether O’neill and Keane have run out of road.
With Dublin selected to stage matches at the 2020 finals, momentum – not stagnation – is vital for the opening qualifiers in March.
Fans will only endure this for so long and voting with their feet will hit the FAI in the pocket.
Next month’s home friendly with Northern Ireland will provide the clearest indication yet as to what appetite remains for the ‘Dream Team’ to soldier on.
O’neill does not take criticism well but, in the aftermath of Tuesday night, he appeared determined to stick it to the begrudgers.
With leading lights of his Euro 2016 team to return from injury, he is focused on the bigger picture and is convinced he can deliver Euro 2020 qualification. He has heard nothing from FAI chief John Delaney (left) to suggest that the association is not on the same page. O’neill said: “I’ve never had that conversation with John and certainly haven’t had it with the board.
“You would be hoping in March, when we actually start in earnest, that we might have some senior players back and give it a real go.”
And if Ireland are relegated in the Nations League and lose second seed status for the Euros draw, O’neill won’t lose sleep.
“I don’t think that has made a real difference to me,” he said. “We were fourth seeds in the World Cup and we got through to the play-offs so it hasn’t been a real problem.
“You look at some of the sides who might be seeded third and you could think there’s not a phenomenal difference.
“I’d like to have made a better fist of these Nations League games. It’s disappointing that we got one point from three games.
“But the competition starts in earnest in March. We’ll have people ready for the games. And I’ll be ready and we’ll go through. Simple as that.”
The backlash against the manager has only energised him