O’Neill convinced Hughes to return
AARON HUGHES believes qualifying for Euro 2016 has justified his decision to come out of international retirement and win 100 caps for Northern Ireland.
The 36- year- old former Fulham and Newcastle defender flew to Lyon with the rest of the squad yesterday after reaching his century in Saturday’s goalless draw with Slovakia in Trnava.
Boss Michael O’Neill talked Hughes out of retirement in 2012 and the centre back continued to report for international duty while playing for Melbourne, even though he did not always get a game.
His commitment has been rewarded with a place in Northern Ireland’s squad for their first major championship in 30 years and Hughes admits that the change in mentality under O’Neill was the reason behind his return. ‘ I’m going to the Euros because of these lads,’ said Hughes, who gave a speech to his team- mates in the dressing- room after the Slovakia match.
‘They have made it special for me so it was a little bit emotional because we are a close-knit group. I’m very privileged to be part of it.
‘The biggest thing that led to me retiring was because I was so disappointed and disillusioned with the whole thing. I was thinking we’re never going to do this (qualify) so what’s the point?
‘I’ve told the young lads in the side to enjoy this because it doesn’t happen often. we got a 0-0 it was brilliant.
‘Michael just said the right things to me. We sat down and had a chat and I told him why I didn’t want to be around it any more. From everything he said, he was sure that we had a chance.’