O’NEILL: I’M STILL GOOD FOR FINALS

vGroup C, Saturday, 7.45pm

JONNY EVANS claims Michael O’Neill has told the Northern Ireland players he will remain in charge if they make it to the Euro 2020 Finals.

O’Neill took over as Stoke boss on Friday and will combine his new role with managing Northern Ireland for the remainder of their Euros campaign.

They face Holland at Windsor Park on Saturday and Germany in Frankfurt three days later in their final qualifiers, and look good for a play-off place in March.

“Michael spoke to us and explained that if there’s a play-off spot that comes up, if that’s the route we have to go down, he will be in charge of the team then,” said the Leicester centre-half.

“If we qualify for the tournament I think he will be with us there also. Michael spoke to me before he took the job at Stoke and explained what was going on. Come the end of this season we accept he’s not going to be here anymore.”

Evans goes into the two qualifiers full of confidence after helping Leicester climb to second in the Premier League under his compatriot Brendan Rodgers.

“It’s going well and it’s been a great couple of weeks for us,” said the former Manchester United star. “When the team is performing it allows players in it to shine.”