‘It’s a rebirth not a reset’ – Northern Irish boss O’neill demands time

Michael O'neill believes 2024 can bring a "rebirth" for Northern Ireland but knows he must also forge a new identity for his young team.

A hugely disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that was ruined by injuries forced O'neill to accelerate the rebuilding process Northern Ireland knew was coming, and the next steps will be seen in friendlies now and in June before the Nations League returns in September.

Anewgenerationspearheaded by the likes of Conor Bradley, Isaac Price, Trai Hume and Shea Charles offers great hope - as did November's 2-0 win over Denmark - but O'neill knows he must now mould this inexperienced squad into a team that can play to their collective strengths.

"I don't think it's a reset, I think it's a rebirth if I'm honest," O'neill said. "This is a new group of players.

"I think we [are in double figures] in our group that have never been capped or are in single figures in caps so they are at the very start of their international careers.

"A lot of them are at the start of their club careers as well. I think this is a new team that's being developed. We really only have what I would say are four experienced players with us and this team has a lot of potential but it needs time."

Sunderland centre-back Dan

Ballard will miss this evening’s friendly against Romania in Bucharest after becoming a father for the first time but could return for Tuesday's match against Scotland at Hampden. O'neill also hopes to have Watford leftback Jamal Lewis and Rangers winger Ross Mccausland back in the group for the Glasgow trip after injury.