O’NEILL ON SFA JOB LINK
ALL THE WORLD CUP DRAW NEWS
HE COULD not say anything to the contrary, of course. Not when there remains a chance of qualifying for the World Cup. But when Michael O’Neill is continually asked about the now vacant Scotland job, there may come a time when he admits he has given it serious consideration.
The Northern Ireland manager was in Zurich yesterday as his side were paired with Switzerland in next month’s play-offs — and remains confident his players can reach the country’s first World Cup finals since 1986.
The SFA will be watching closely. O’Neill is on £500,000 per year and is very much a contender to take over from Gordon Strachan, who left the role as national boss last week.
O’Neill, who lives in Edinburgh, has his admirers within the SFA and knows the Scottish game inside out, having played for Hibs and Dundee United in the past as well as being a regular at matches.
When Strachan was under pressure early on in the World Cup qualifying campaign, O’Neill’s name was heavily touted as a possible replacement. It was not to be then, as Strachan stayed on, but now he is seen by many as a serious contender once more.
‘I’m aware of it but it was the same several months ago when Scotland lost to England (at Wembley in the World Cup qualifiers). I haven’t given it a second thought,’ insisted O’Neill following yesterday’s draw.
‘My focus has just been on who we will be playing and, now I know who we face in the play-off, my total concentration will be on how we get through this tie.’
Jimmy Nicholl, one of O’Neill’s assistants, was also toeing the party line yesterday.
Speaking as he was unveiled as Falkirk’s new assistant manager, the 61-year-old also insisted a top club job is more likely to test the resolve of the highly-rated coach.
‘Let’s say Michael gets through the play-offs and he is taking Northern Ireland to a World Cup next year, then a big club comes in,’ said Nicholl.
‘It happened to Tommy Docherty years ago. I was at Manchester United at the time, so I remember it well.
‘Tommy was taking Scotland to a World Cup, but then Manchester United came calling — and he didn’t take Scotland to a World Cup.
‘That could be Michael’s next big decision, particularly if we get past Switzerland and his stock is sky-high. That could be something pulling away at his heart-strings.’
Meanwhile, another manager not short on Scottish connections, Martin O’Neill, spoke of his relief after the Republic of Ireland missed drawing Italy, with a play-off against Denmark facing them.
‘Italy were in the group and I suppose if you were to ask all of the unseeded coaches, none of us would have wanted to play them,’ said the former Celtic boss.
‘We’re delighted to have been drawn away from home first, so we will try to get some sort of advantage or certainly negate Denmark’s advantages before we get to Dublin.
‘We have two games in quick succession and the turnover will be very quick, so let’s go for it.’
The Republic beat Moldova and Wales earlier this month to take second place in their qualifying group — and O’Neill added: ‘We have momentum and that’s important. We won the last two games to get here.
‘I’m now concerned with the next couple of weeks and making sure my players don’t get injuries at club level. But I know the Denmark manager (Age Hareide), we used to play together.
‘It will be an interesting confrontation.’