Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
O’NEILL IS ‘FOCUSED’
MICHAEL O’NEILL insists a pending court case in Scotland won’t distract him from Northern Ireland’s World Cup double header with Germany and Norway.
The 48-year-old is to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff’s Court on a reported drink driving charge on October 10, two days after the final Group C game in Oslo.
Northern Ireland also host the Germans on October 5 but boss O’neill (above) said: “I’m not in a position to comment because obviously I have a pending date in court. As regards the football it’s fine. The fact we are playing Germany and I have to pick the squad and
get the team ready for that game is more than enough to focus me at this moment in time.
“Germany is a great game for us to finish our home campaign with. To have won our four home group games and not concede a goal and now play Germany is a great situation for the players.”
O’neill, bidding to lead Northern Ireland to their first World Cup since Mexico 1986, is boosted by the return of Gareth Mcauley who missed last month’s wins over San Marino and the Czech Republic with a thigh injury.
Two new faces have also been added to the panel with uncapped Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones and Millwall midfielder George Saville both receiving surprise call-ups.
O’neill moved swiftly to include Saville after being informed of the Surreyborn player’s eligibility a fortnight ago while he thinks pacy Jones, 22, can become a fans’ favourite.
The manager said: “Jordan is an eye-catching player. He’s very direct, quick, likes to take people on and is a player supporters will take to.”