BEST W O’neill tips Ian to complete success story

MICHAEL O’NEILL is backing Ian Baraclough to finish what he started and lead Northern Ireland to another Euros.

O’neill earned Northern Ireland a play- off place before he took over as Stoke boss and was succeeded by his former Under- 21 coach Baraclough.

The Irish face Slovakia in tomorrow’s play- off final at Windsor Park and O’neill is confident they can qualify for next summer’s finals.

“I thought they held their nerve brilliantly in the penalty shootout to beat Bosnia,” he said. “They now have a massive opportunity with the home game against Slovakia and let’s hope they can qualify for finals. I’m delighted for Ian. He did a really good job with the Under- 21s and he’s made the transition well to the senior side.

“He has a good group to work with which helps. Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart, they’re brilliant players to have around and the younger ones are hungry to do well.”

O’neill will tune in to the game from his Edinburgh home and will feel like a proud dad because he developed so

THAT’S FINAL: Steven Davis

( left) and Stuart Dallas celebrate the shootout win over Bosnia many of the current players players. “I brought most of those players into the squad and they’ve had the best parts of their international careers when I was in charge,” he said.

“Look at Stuart Dallas now, playing in the Premier League with Leeds. I feel very proud because when I brought him into the squad he wasn’t even getting a game for Brentford.

“I hope they can go the next step because it would be brilliant for them to be involved in the finals again.”

O’neill will have no mixed emotions as his focus is on tryanother ing to turn Stoke’s e encouraging ncouraging start into a promotion otion push. The Potters are eighth th after two seasons fighting to stay in the Championship.

“I’ll always look back at Northern Ireland and with great pride, but now I’m fully focused d on Stoke and what we e can do,” he added.

“The club have a real desire to get back to the Premier League. .

“We have a lot of f work to do but that’s t’s the challenge and I’m enjoying it.”

TOP BOSSES: Ian Baraclough and his predecessor Michael O’neill ( right)