Top advice from top duo
AUSTIN MacPHEE is the only Scottish coach at the Euros, as part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland set-up. Every week in The Sunday Post, the highly-rated Scot will give an exclusive insight into life at the tournament.
MICHAEL O’NEILL’S preparation for the Euros has been meticulous.
I learn something new every day and it is an education of the highest quality to be with him as one of his assistants on the coaching staff.
Of course, throughout the next three or four weeks, the most important thing is to try to win games and progress in the tournament.
You need your players to be organised, know what their jobs are on the field of play and also allow them to express themselves when they are in possession to try to hurt the opposition.
But for all that to come together, the analysis and preparation goes way deeper than simply what to do at set-pieces. It’s about team spirit and having a good harmony within the squad.
This was something Michael was already very aware of, but the point was hammered home to him even more during conversations he has had with Louis van Gaal and Slaven Bilic.
Both have experience of being at major Finals as international managers, and Michael wanted their insight and a few words of wisdom.
They highlighted to him the importance of a good working environment every day, whether it be the training field, the hotel base or match days.
They warned that some players – mainly the group from 16-22 that are unlikely to start any games – could become disillusioned and disruptive when they are not playing because they have been away from home for a month.
But the Northern Ireland lads, to a man, have been different class. Every single one of them has been tuned in and doing their bit.
Thankfully, we have no superstars and no player carries an ego around with him. That makes Michael and the coaching staff’s jobs a lot easier.
We can focus on arming our players with information about the opposition.
What gave us plenty of encouragement about the way we analyse the opposition was a stay at Manchester City’s training camp, late last month.
We were based there with the players for a few days for a change of scenery. We were also given access to City’s video technology and editing suites.
We don’t have the same resources at our disposal as they do, but it was a huge boost to know the way we prepare and analyse is the way City do it.
It’s been 30 years since Northern Ireland last appeared in a major Finals and we believe we can get out of the group, we really do.
That said, I believe the winners of the tournament will be either Germany or England. Poland are my outside tip.
Germany and Poland are both in our section so it shows just how hard our task is going to be.