O’Neill on . . .

League of Ireland exclusions

I think more than any other Irish manager, I’ve incorporated the League of Ireland very strongly I’m not an agent to the players. It’s my job to be impressed by players. Some players have gone over to England and have not come through at the lower levels and then you have to ask the question: What is it? If somebody goes over early and comes back quickly, it’s not the perfect recipe for international football.

He will play some part of the

[Northern Ireland] game, start the match, be captain of the team. He’ll play for some time and I think that’s proper fitting but yes, a fairly decent chance that I think he will be coming towards the end of his time.

I haven’t spoken to him. I just thought I would leave it here because we’ve got a friendly game and there’s a couple of boys I want to try. Hopefully, if young (Seán) Maguire comes through and has no more problems, I’d be looking at him.

If people come up with proper arguments one way or the other, I would certainly listen to them. I would have my own view. Considerations have to take place.

Glenn Whelan’s farewell

David McGoldrick’s absence

Changing eligibility rules