O’Neill prepared for his once in a lifetime chance
SCOTTISH FA target Michael O’Neill has admitted that Northern Ireland’s win-or-bust play-off with Switzerland may be his only chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals regardless of who he manages in the future.
O’Neill has played in and taken charge of numerous crunch matches at Windsor Park over the past 30 years, but insists Thursday’s first leg will be his biggest game ever in Belfast with the return to follow in Basle three days later.
Success against the Swiss and O’Neill will still be in charge of Northern Ireland until at least the finals take place in Russia next summer.
Failure to qualify, though, may see the SFA make their move for the highly rated O’Neill to replace Gordon Strachan, who was sacked last month.
O’Neill, who led his country to the European Championships last year, is not one to let his emotions run wild, but it is evident the 48-year-old is feeling a genuine sense of excitement of what awaits in the coming week.
‘This may never come around again for me, regardless of what happens in my future as a manager,’ said the Edinburghbased former Dundee United and Hibernian player.
‘In four years from now, will I be the manager (of Northern Ireland)? How many of these players will be here? What sort of squad will we have? How many times will you just be 180 minutes away from going to a World Cup?
‘There are so many variables that you can’t waste the opportunity that’s in front of you, and that’s how we have to treat it.
‘It’s not just the work you have to do in the qualification but there are four years of work to get to this point.
‘You look at the Greece game when we qualified for the Euro finals which was massive but I think the first leg against Switzerland will be my biggest-ever game in Belfast.
‘This is a huge game for me, for my players and my message will be there will be a fantastic atmosphere and we have to make sure we do everything not to let this opportunity slip past.’
To that end O’Neill and his staff Jimmy Nicholl (Falkirk assistant manager) and Austin MacPhee (Hearts assistant head coach) have been working overtime analysing the strengths and weaknesses of their Swiss opponents.
‘After the draw we started looking at Switzerland. Myself, Austin and Jimmy have spent a lot of time watching them,’ said O’Neill.
‘Our preparation will be right and we will leave no stone unturned. Our players will know exactly what they are up against.’
O’Neill’s key performer is sure to be Southampton midfielder Steven Davis, who is in line to win his 100th cap against the Swiss on Thursday night.
Davis was, of course, a huge favourite with Rangers before leaving for Saints.
O’Neill tells how when he sees Rangers legends like John Greig, Walter Smith and Ally McCoist, the first topic of conversation is always the midfielder.
O’Neill said: ‘It is fitting that Steven wins his 100th cap in a game of this stature. He always leads by example and brings out the best in everyone else and that is why he is so vital to us. He has enormous respect within the game and if you speak to anybody who has worked with Steven, in terms of Walter Smith or Ally McCoist at Rangers or even a great like John Greig, they always ask about Steven.
‘He has left a real impression wherever he has been and at Southampton he is hugely admired.
‘Steven Davis could play for one of the top six teams in the Premier League. There is no doubt about that in my mind. But maybe as a consequence of the number of foreign players who came into the Premier League that is the reason why it never materialised. For me, he has been a dream of a player.’
Davis took over captaincy duties for Northern Ireland from Hearts ace Aaron Hughes. O’Neill is well aware the defender is struggling to be fit for the play-offs but insists he trusts the 37-year-old enough to use him if fit even without game time for his club.
‘With Aaron, you can throw him in even though he has played limited football and in his position and how he manages his body you know he is going to be able to do that,’ said O’Neill.
‘For some other players it may be a bigger ask for them.’