Hughes backs O’neill

Former hibernian and inverness manager John Hughes has thrown his weight behind Michael O’neill for the vacant Scotland manager’s position.

The Scottish FA are expected to step up their pursuit of the one-time Brechin City boss after Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup ended following a 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat by Switzerland.

The Edinburgh-based manager led his country out of the group stages in the 2016 European Championship finals in France and Hughes, who attained his coaching badges alongside O’neill, reckons Scotland could face competition to secure the 48-year-old.

He said: “It would be a good, sensible decision if the SFA go and get Michael O’neill but he won’t be short of offers, so it will all depend on the contract.

“If they’re determined to get him, they will have to show that.

“Michael will have offers. Does he want to go into club management? He did very well at Shamrock Rovers.

“But if Scotland come calling I think it would be too good an offer to turn down.

“I did my coaching badges with Michael and I know him very well.

“He’s done very well with Northern Ireland and he looked very disappointed that they didn’t qualify for the World Cup, especially on a referee’s decision.

“He would be a good appointment for Scotland.”

He added: “Northern Ireland and Scotland can call upon similar players. We don’t have an abundance of top players like years ago when every top English team had a couple of Scotsmen.

“Michael could go in there and just get the gold dust on them and hopefully get us success because we’re crying out for success.

“Gordon (Strachan) did a wonderful job, but ultimately we didn’t qualify. We were just coming good and he was getting it right. Michael would be great to take things on.” l John Hughes, who led Inverness to Scottish Cup glory in 2015, was speaking at Saughton Enclosure yesterday to preview the William Hill Scottish Cup third round clash between Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale and Championship leaders St Mirren.