NORTHERN IRELAND v NETHERLANDS GROUP C, WINDSOR PARK, SAT 7.45PM STOKED UP FOR O’NEILL

Mcginn wants to give boss Mike big send-off

NIALL MCGINN admits the Northern Ireland players will do all they can to earn a win for Michael O’neill on Saturday, knowing it could be his last game as manager at Windsor Park.

O’neill took over as Stoke City boss last week.

But an agreement was reached between his new club and the Irish FA allowing him to take charge of the final two Euro 2020 qualifiers versus Netherlands in Belfast and in Germany three days later – plus potential play-off games in March.

There are no guarantees any of the play-off matches will be at Windsor and, given the demands of managing Championship strugglers Stoke, many feel it is far from certain that O’neill will be the Northern Ireland boss next year.

“Saturday could be a bitter-sweet moment for Michael with the possibility of it being his last home game,” said Aberdeen hero Mcginn, who scored in the Euro 2016 finals after O’neill guided the nation to a first major tournament in 30 years.

“We will concentrate on that and the atmosphere will be incredible so hopefully we can get the win for the fans and him. The only thing missing from Michael’s reign is taking a big scalp, like beating a Netherlands or a Germany.”

Northern Ireland need to defeat both the Dutch and Germans over the next week to have a shot at qualifying automatically. Should O’neill lead the team to Euro 2020

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winger Mcginn says the players would like him to be at the helm for the finals.

“If we can get to the Euros Michael would love to be a part of that and it would be another great addition to his CV,” said Mcginn.

“The players have come this far with him and it might be a bit strange for someone else to come in before the Euros, if we make the finals. If we have a massive chance of qualifying then Michael will hopefully be there to take us.

“It’s great what he has done for Northern Ireland and what has been achieved as a collective unit. It’s put the country back on the map and we have been playing at major tournaments again.

“Michael has got off to a brilliant start at Stoke with a win in his first game as manager and, regarding the international set-up, it’s been business as usual.

“Michael has spoken to the players about the games and if there’s one man who can deal with being a club and international manager it’s Michael. He’s a top drawer manager and he can do both jobs for the time being.”

On O’neill’s successor Mcginn added: “Whoever steps in next is walking into a great environment with a great bunch of players.”

EUROPEAN champions Notttingham Forest were looking to do business with West Germany to kickstart a spending spree. Forest boss Brian Clough was in talks to sell 23-year-old striker Tony Woodcock to Cologne for £650,000. That deal would trigger a £600,00 bid to bring Peter Ward to Forest from Brighton. Brighton were expected to bring in Morton’s Andy Ritchie for £350,000. The Woodcock deal broke the German transfer record – £500,000 paid to Liverpool for Kevin Keegan.

NEW KIT, NEW DAWN Niall Mcginn, Conor Mclaughlin & Jonny Evans join fans to launch 2020 gear yesterday HEROES O’neill laps up Mcginn goal against Ukraine at Euro 2016

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