No tears from O’Neill – for now
Michael O’Neill showed little interest in talk of a second homecoming at Windsor Park today.
The Northern Ireland boss insisted his only focus was on preparing his team to face Finland.
O’Neill will take charge of the first home game of his second spell in charge in the Euro 2024 qualifier – and a raucous atmosphere is expected, given the enthusiasm O’Neill’s appointment has generated amongst the fans.
The man himself tried to brush off questions about the emotions of returning to Windsor, joking that “you’re desperate to see me in tears, really”.
O’Neill added: “At the end of the day it’s a game of football. We have to keep everything in perspective.
“I don’t know how it will affect me, but I do know we have to be focused.
“My primary objective is to make sure my head is in the game, and that’s where it’s been all week.
“I’m just looking forward to the game. When Northern Ireland are at their best, the stadium has a great atmosphere in it.
“There’s a real strong bond between the players and the fans. That’s something we carried for a number of years, something we developed and something we have to reconnect.
“We have to make sure that’s how fans feel about the players going forward.
“That’s where I’ll get the most satisfaction and, who knows, maybe a bit of emotion will come out then.”
■ Manchester United have received a second Qatari bid to buy the Old Trafford club.
Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, placed his secondround offer early yesterday.
A source close to the bid say the Qataris remain confident of completing a takeover, despite rival interest from
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus.
A deadline for offers had been set for 9pm on Wednesday, but that was extended.