UNDER-FIRE O’NEILL INSISTS IRISH CAN MAKE EUROS
MICK McCARTHY and Neil Lennon have been installed as first and second favourites for his job, but a defiant Martin O’Neill insisted yesterday that he WILL lead Republic of Ireland to the Euro 2020 finals. The ex-Celtic boss is under increasing pressure after Ireland’s home double-header in the Nations League produced a goalless draw with Denmark and a 1-0 defeat by Wales. O’Neill, 66, has long deflected criticism by reminding observers his talent pool is shallow, but one of his strengths as a manager of nearly three decades has been an ability to turn water into wine with modest resources. Those powers have evaporated during an 11-month period in which his team have won just one of nine matches, a friendly against the USA. O’Neill has given Ireland some magical nights during his five years in charge, but it’s only those fading memories — coupled with a two-year contract and salary of around £900,000 — that are keeping him in a job. His players used to come up with the goods when he needed it most. Now O’Neill is left to provide the fighting talk off the pitch and to that end he is performing better than those on it. ‘Regardless of what people think, I’ve never shirked the responsibility, I’ve never turned on the players,’ he said, making his case to stay on for the start of Euro 2020 qualifying in March. ‘We’re short of some things but, in terms of spirit, drive, it’s absolutely there. I don’t think I could have made a career out of management if I didn’t have hunger and determination. We can turn the corner.’ How? ‘Because I’ll win. I’ll win,’ he said. ‘I’ll be ready and we’ll go through. Simple as that.’ Ireland will qualify for the finals? ‘Yes, absolutely,’ he replied. Why the sudden optimism? ‘Because I’m good,’ he said. But first he must negotiate a friendly with Northern Ireland next month and a Nations League curtain call in Denmark, where anything other than victory will see Ireland relegated to the third tier of the competition.