Day Alli didn’t want to be an England player
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes the Nations League has been a positive experience, despite their relegation in the competition.
O’Neill’s side have lost all three of their matches so far, rendering today’s finale against Austria at Windsor Park a dead rubber.
It has been a frustrating campaign, with Northern Ireland having 46 attempts at goal over their three matches but scoring just once.
But O’Neill said he had enjoyed the competition and believes it did his team good to play alongside Austria and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
“I think it’s a positive,” he said. “It’s equipped the team well.”
O’Neill said he and the team have kept their focus on performances rather than results, so could take confidence, despite the lack of goals.
“The belief has never come out of the team, they just feel they haven’t got what they deserved but they know part of that is selfinflicted,” he said.
“If you don’t take your chances, you can be punished, especially against teams with one special player like Dzeko and Arnautovic.
“We’ve been more than a match for the teams we’ve played but we haven’t taken our chances in games.
“I’m disappointed to lose the games but I’m not devastated or despondent because I think the team is progressing.”
O’Neill has selection decisions to make for today’s game, having called a number of younger players into the squad following the conclusion of the Under-21s season.
Jamie Ward has returned to Charlton after suffering a dead leg in Thursday’s goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland, but there are no other injury concerns.
Gareth McAuley could feature after making his Rangers debut on November 8 – his first appearance of the season after starting the campaign without a club.
“It’s great to be back involved in the squad,” the 38-year-old said.
“It’s always a pleasure to come and represent my country and just to be back and getting the buzz off football and being involved on match days.”
Asked how long he might keep playing for Northern Ireland, McAuley recalled some advice
given to him by Sammy Morgan when he was at Ipswich.
“Years ago, Sammy Morgan said to me, ‘Never retire. Eventually, you will be retired’. And that is something that has stuck with me for a long time.
“I still have the enthusiasm to do it. I like to train. I get angry sometimes but I like to go about things with a smile on my face.
“Pulling up to the ground there is no better feeling, pulling up at Ibrox last weekend I felt 18 instead of 38.
“As long as I feel fit and able to compete and able to train every day to the standard that’s needed, then I will keep going.”