O’Neill is not talking to Mixu
MICHAEL O’Neill is preparing to do battle with a familiar face today, as an old friend attempts to derail Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 dream.
Finland are the opponents at Windsor Park, led by Mixu Paatelainen — the man who gave O’Neill his coaching break as his No 2 at Cowdenbeath.
The pair have already crossed paths on the international circuit, sharing a 3-3 friendly draw in 2012, during O’Neill’s early days at the helm.
But there is a whole lot more riding on the follow-up, with Northern Ireland having taken nine points from a possible 12 in Group F, while the Finns face a fight to stay in contention with just four points from their four fixtures.
O’Neill admits he and Paatelainen have declined to swap advice about other teams on the road to France, but accepts the two men know each other’s style ‘inside out’.
He said: ‘We’re similar to players. When you’ve played at a club with someone and then you have worked briefly with them as a coach, there is a relationship there.
‘We are less inclined to discuss the opposition because Mixu probably thinks he doesn’t want to tell me things I perhaps don’t know and vice versa.
‘Regardless of what happens, it won’t affect how close we are.’
O’Neill even sees a parallel between the two sides, with both he and Paatelainen attempting to eke the best out of a small number of top-tier players, while building a strong group in support.
‘Mixu has done well with Finland and his job is similar to mine,’ he said.
‘You have a limited pool of players to choose from and he has them playing in a nice style.’
Northern Ireland’s current position, and the optimism around the squad, is in stark contrast to an underwhelming first campaign under O’Neill.
A battling point in Portugal, a 1-0 win over Russia were outweighed by defeats against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
And the manager is pleased that senior men such as captain Steven Davis, Jonny Evans, and Chris Brun did not become disillusioned.
O’Neill added: ‘You need the patience of Steven, Jonny and Brunty, who continue to come through the disappointment.’