JIMMY KEY IN IRISH BID TO NIC SEAN
MICHAEL O’NEILL has revealed he hopes Jimmy Nicholl’s influence will persuade Rangers star Sean Goss to turn out for Northern Ireland.
Goss has impressed since joining the Ibrox outfit on loan from QPR and O’Neill is determined to land the 22-year-old German-born midfielder who qualifies for the Irish through the grandparent rule. He could also play for England or the Republic of Ireland.
As well as being assistant to Graeme Murty at Rangers, Nicholl is also No.2 to O’Neill with Northern Ireland.
Goss wasn’t named in O’Neill’s squad yesterday for the March 24 friendly at home to South Korea.
But the 48-year-old, who turned down the chance to manage Scotland in January, wants that to change.
Talks have taken place between former Manchester United starlet Goss and O’Neill.
And the Northern Ireland gaffer admits he could even go straight into his team.
O’Neill said: “Goss is a player that has been on our radar for quite some time. We first spoke to him when he was at Manchester United so this isn’t a recent conversation. We’ve had a lot of conversations in the past 18 months.
“But like any young player he is entitled to wait and see what he wants to do. He hasn’t represented anyone at international level. He was born in Germany so he has a few options.
“Hopefully though with Jimmy’s influence at Rangers, Sean will make the decision to play for Northern Ireland.
“He cannot only have an immediate impact on the squad but also on the team. Sean has done very well at Rangers.”
Kilmarnock’s Jordan Jones is set to win his second cap against South Korea despite recent accusations of diving.
The subject caused a rift between Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and Killie counterpart Steve Clarke, whose sides meet tonight in a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay.
O’Neill said: “I’ve never seen Jordan as a diver. He’s a player who runs at pace. We don’t have any concerns about him.”