The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Don’t walk away from us, players urge O’Neill
Norwood plea but Scotland and Rangers could tempt
Oliver Norwood hopes Northern Ireland’s valiant display in Switzerland will persuade manager Michael O’Neill to remain at the helm.
O’Neill will take time considering his future after his team came up just short in their World Cup playoff with the Swiss when a dubious penalty decision in the first leg ended its hopes of reaching back-to-back major tournaments for the first time in the country’s history.
It felt like the end of an era in Basle on Sunday, where at least four veteran players – Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt and Jamie Ward – may have pulled on the green jersey for the final time.
They were among the first O’Neill consoled at full time, though his own time with Northern Ireland may have reached its conclusion three years before his contract runs out.
The 48-year-old is unlikely to be short of suitors. The Edinburghbased boss fits the bill for Scotland, while vacancies with Rangers, Sunderland and the United States, where O’Neill spent part of his playing career, may also be alluring.
However, Norwood, 26, is banking on O’Neill being convinced that there is still more to come after Northern Ireland’s performance at St Jakob-Park.
“We spoke about making Northern Ireland proud and I think we did that,” said the midfielder, on loan at Fulham from Brighton.
“We are devastated as a squad but I hope we stick together. Hopefully, all the players will remain avail-
“We would like Michael to stay as we can achieve great things”
able for one more campaign. Obviously, we all want Michael to stay.
“We hope that our performance on Sunday night (showed we) would want him to remain in charge.
“The message is loud and clear from the players and fans that we would like Michael to stay as we can achieve great things with this squad.”
O’Neill will not be rushed into determining what happens next, though no amount of time will likely remove the feeling of injustice at the manner in which Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream died.
Referee Ovidiu Hategan will forever be remembered by the Green and White Army as the man who somehow thought Corry Evans was guilty of deliberate handball at Windsor Park.
So, while O’Neill expressed pride at a battling performance in Basle three days later, it was what happened in Belfast that rankles.
“As a coach or a manager, you can’t really ask any more than what we got,” he said.
“After five and a half years, while this is a devastating moment, from what we saw in terms of character and what you want from your team, it’s also a high point and something we should be proud of.
“We’ve gone toe to toe with a very good side, a team that made the last 16 of the Euros and the last 16 of the last World Cup.
“It was decided by a really poor decision and a penalty that should never have been.”