O’Neill to sign new deal

NORTHERN Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has confirmed he expects to sign a new contract with the Irish Football Association, having turned down the chance to become the next Scotland boss.

Edinburgh-based O’Neill last week held talks with the Scottish Football Association regarding its vacancy but has elected to remain with Northern Ireland.

The 48-year-old was appointed by the IFA i n December 2011 and is understood to have been offered improved terms on a deal that will run until 2024.

“We had very positive discussions before Christmas and I envisage now we’ll pick up from where we left off,” O’Neill said.

“It’s not in terms of negotiations, there’s j ust things that need to be sorted.

“The discussions were very, very positive so I look forward to having something to announce i n the coming days.”

O’Neill guided the Northern Irish to the last 16 stages at Euro 2016, their first major tournament in 30 years, and the nation then progressed to a play-off for the 2018 World Cup in November.

A controversial penalty in the first leg ultimately sent Switzerland through and there were fears O’Neill could then depart Northern Ireland, with the SFA identifying him as its preferred candidate to succeed Gordon Strachan.

However, it took the organisation two months to agree to pay the stipulated £500,000 compensation figure, and O’Neill had already held discussions with the IFA about extending his stay in the aftermath of the tie with the Swiss.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will face Austria and Bosnia in the Uefa Nations League.

Arsenal players mob Granit Xhaka.