O’Neill looks for meaning of 2020 vision

Michael O’Neill will have his eyes set firmly on next year’s Euro 2020 qualifiers when Northern Ireland wrap up their Nations League campaign against Austria tomorrow.

While Northern Ireland were playing out a 0-0 friendly draw with the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night, their relegation from League B of the Nations League was confirmed as Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina produced a goalless stalemate of their own in Vienna.

But O’Neill once again played down the relevance of relegation as he eyed next year’s qualifiers, with Northern Ireland due to learn their opponents when the draw is made in Dublin on December 2.

“What does relegation from the Nations League mean?” he asked.

“I don’t think anyone really knows apart from the fact that when this competition comes around again in two years’ time we’re playing in League C.

“But in two years’ time we’ll be trying to qualify for a World Cup rather than the Euros. It hurts us in terms of the playoffs but we’re building a team for qualifying, trying to finish in the top two of a group.

“In the last two campaigns we’ve won a group and finished second.

“I think the team is getting stronger, there’s a youthfulness about it and maybe more pace than there has been.”

Thursday’s result in Vienna makes tomorrow’s game against Austria at Windsor Park a dead rubber, but O’Neill is keen for his side to use it as a further chance to develop their game for the challenges to come.

The draw in Dublin continued a number of familiar themes as Northern Ireland dominated possession. Gareth Southgate is determined to end England’s “brilliant year” in style by beating World Cup semifinal foes Croatia to reach the inaugural Nations League finals.

Southgate’s trust in youth paid dividends in Russia as England reached the final four for just the third time, while the year now comes to a close with a revenge mission which offers a shot at silverware