‘Euros won’t make my plans go to Pott’
STOKE boss Michael O’Neill insists his Northern Ireland role will be no distraction from a full-on relegation battle.
The Potters, in the Premier League two seasons ago, are now just three points clear of the Championship drop zone after tossing away a two-goal lead.
O’Neill, 50, has been in charge of his country for nine years and will lead them into a crucial Euro 2020 play-off in Bosnia next month.
But with Stoke’s situation in the league increasingly fragile, O’Neill assured fans preparations for the international are done.
After going two up through Sam Clucas and Tyrese Campbell, Mark Warburton’s QPR roared back with goals from Jordan Hugill, Ebere Eze, Bright Osayi-Samuel and sub Ilias Chair.
O’Neill said: “I am at Stoke every day, all day, trying to make sure that this club stays in the Championship.
“Relegation is something I and the owner certainly wouldn’t want to happen. I am very clear how I manage my time over the next few weeks. There is no issue with that, and the Northern Ireland job is no distraction to the challenge at Stoke.
“We find ourselves in a difficult position, I was brought in to rectify that and that is what I am trying to do.
“It is going to be a real battle. I was bottom when we came in and at no point have we thought we were clear.”
Warburton said: “In the second half we looked very good. We have always created chances, today we put a few away.
“But to fall two goals behind and respond in that fashion shows how much the players care.”