O’NEILL SNUB ‘NOTHING TO DO WITH CASH’

MOTHERWELL boss Stephen Robinson insists Michael O’Neill’s rejection of Scotland was not down to money but because he has ‘unfinished business’ with Northern Ireland. Robinson, who was an assistant to O’Neill during Euro 2016, says his compatriot believes he can maintain his remarkable run with the national side after coming so close to taking them to this summer’s World Cup finals. And he reckons O’Neill, who is in Lausanne for the UEFA Nations League draw today, will have received personal assurances from his senior players that they remain committed to the cause. The former Hibernian and Dundee United player was offered a more lucrative and longer deal to stay by the Irish FA than what was being offered by the SFA, but Robinson doesn’t feel that played a part in his decision. ‘Michael makes professional decisions, he’s a very astute, intelligent man,’ he said. ‘I’m sure he’s done it for football reasons, I wouldn’t imagine for a second he’s done it for financial reasons. ‘He believes he has unfinished business with Northern Ireland. I’m quite sure, for example, Michael has done his due diligence and will have spoken with the older lads in the squad. ‘I don’t know for certain but I’m pretty sure they’ll have given him an assurance they’re going to play on. ‘He has so much respect from the players and the staff and, if they are to play on, then Michael staying would have been a huge part of their decision. ‘If he didn’t think he was able to qualify, he probably wouldn’t still be there. He’s a talented man and I’m sure he’s done the best thing for his career and his family.’ While SFA chief Stewart Regan made it clear from the outset that O’Neill was the No 1 target to replace Gordon Strachan, Robinson believes there was always a feeling in Northern Ireland that he wouldn’t jump ship. ‘The reaction back home is, as you would expect, people are delighted,’ said Robinson. ‘I think they were quietly confident of him staying and, now it’s settled, everyone can move on. ‘He’ll have done a lot of soul-searching because it’s a massive honour that both Northern Ireland and Scotland wanted him. ‘But he’s from Northern Ireland, he would feel a sense of loyalty and that would have been tugging at his heart strings.’