The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
O’Neill insists England can pummel Panama
WORLD CUP: Northern Ireland boss tips Central Americans to suffer in Group G
Michael O’Neill saw England’s World Cup opponents Panama draw 0-0 with his Northern Ireland team and expects the Three Lions to be “too strong” for the Central Americans next month.
O’Neill’s side were invited to Los Canaleros’ send-off soiree on Tuesday night and though they did not totally spoil the party, they made sure there was no victory for the Panamanians to celebrate prior to their first ever World Cup.
Panama have now drawn with two of the home nations – Wales and Northern Ireland – since November ahead of their June 24 date with Gareth Southgate’s England in their second group game in Russia.
O’Neill knows all about how a smaller country can upset the odds, having led his nation to the last 16 at Euro 2016, yet he expects England and Belgium to take care of business against Panama.
“I would be surprised if England and Belgium don’t beat them,” he said. “In saying that, tournament football is different. If someone gets off to a bad start, someone gets off to a good start, that second game can always be very, very interesting. You get momentum, you get confidence.
“They’ve had a few difficult games in Europe so they’ve tried to change how they play when they play European teams. We’ll see how it goes but it’s going to be a tough ask for them to do anything in terms of coming through the first phase of the tournament.
“They have a great pride playing for their country and I think when you have that you’re capable of producing results. But I think England will be too strong, to be honest.”
On a humid night in Panama City, the hosts came closest to winning the game when Edgar Joel Barcenas hit the crossbar with a first-half header.
It was Northern Ireland’s first game of a two-match tour and O’Neill was able to hand debuts to three players as well as experimenting with captain Jonny Evans in central midfield.
Meanwhile, Wayne Bridge likes the way Southgate has set his stall out as England boss, producing a squad he believes are right to be thinking of World Cup success this summer.
Southgate is relying on young, talented players and Bridge has been excited by the way they have been set up by his former England team-mate.
“I liked him as a player and I spoke to him a lot then,” Bridge said.
“I like him as a guy, so I am sure the players will as well and that’s only a positive thing that the players get on with the manager. I’ve thought he’s done well. He’s given young players a chance. The squad are a really tight unit.
“I’ve got my fingers crossed that he does well – not only for the team and England but for him.”
There is a feeling within the camp that things can go well for the Three Lions this summer. But fan positivity is easier said than done on the back of the Euro 2016 exit to Iceland and group-stage collapse at the World Cup in Brazil four years ago.
Former left-back Bridge, who won 36 caps, added: “You talk about negativity from fans, press or whatever, and I think you’ve got to be a strong enough player to deal with it when you’re on the pitch.”