It’s now or never for Michael

NORTHERN IRELAND boss Michael O’Neill admits he may never manage at a World Cup finals if his team don’t beat Switzerland in the play-offs.

The Swiss travel to Windsor Park on Thursday for the first leg with the return in Basel on Sunday and highly rated O’Neill is viewing the tie as a now-or-never scenario for him and his players.

“This may never come around again for me, regardless of what happens in my future as a manager,” said O’Neill.

“In four years from now will I be the manager? How many of these players will be here? What sort of squad will we have? There are so many variables that you can’t waste the opportunity that’s in front of you.”

O’Neill has played and managed in some big occasions in Belfast but he says this will his biggest yet.

“How many times will this come round in your career? How many times will you be 180 minutes away from going to a World Cup?” he added.

“It’s not just the work you have to do in the qualification but there are four years of work to get to this point.

“This is a huge game for myself, for my players and my message will be we have to make sure we do everything not to let this chance slip.”

World Cup play-off, 1st leg: Northern Ireland v Switzerland Thursday, 7.45pm, Sky Sports

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