Players, not songs, the priority for O’Neill

NEW Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill played his political cards right during his official introduction to the media as Nigel Worthington’s successor yesterday.

O’Neill, the first Catholic manager of the Northern Ireland international team since Peter Doherty led the country to the 1958 World Cup quarter-finals, toed the party line when fielding the obvious questions relating to the ongoing Irish player eligibility row and God Save The Queen being played at Windsor Park.

The former Shamrock Rovers manager, 42, who led the Dubliners to back-to-back Airtricity League titles wasn’t for getting dragged into emotive debates.

However, the former Newcastle United player did admit he would “be active” in the pursuit of Sunderland’s Republic-bound James McClean, and would call on the assistance of Black Cats manager Martin O’Neill in a bid to convince the player to play for the North.

Asked what he thought about Northern Ireland-born players switching allegiance to the Republic, O’Neill said: “I have never hidden behind the fact that I think it is wrong. The IFA is not the wealthiest association in the world and they have allocated a lot of resource into that area of developing young players. What I will say to any young player is this — think long and hard before you make that decision.

“Of the players who have made that decision of late, only Darron Gibson has made it; so you have to recognise where your long-term future is. I think players born in Northern Ireland and who have come through the ranks, should aspire to play for Northern Ireland and have long and distinguished careers with us.”

While it is likely McClean, who has shone at the Stadium of Light recently, will take up an invitation from Giovanni Trapattoni to join his Euro 2012-bound squad, O’Neill will not give up on the Derry-born winger.

The 33-times capped O’Neill added: “I will aim to meet as many players as possible over the next few weeks to get to know them on a personal level — to set about getting a club mentality for the international team.

“James McClean is still eligible to play for Northern Ireland, so he is still on my radar. Whilst respecting the wishes of the players, I will doeverything possible in my power to emphasise to those players that their long-term future is part of the Northern Ireland team. Any player whoremains eligible will come in forconsideration.

“James is a hot topic at the minute given what has happened in Sunderland’s last few games. The most important thing for me is the relationship I build with the player. If the player makes the decision to play for the Republic of Ireland, I think we have to respect that [even if] we may not like it,” added O’Neill, who has been given a two-year contract by the IFA.

Asked about the thorny issue of God Save The Queen being retained as the national anthem for Northern Ireland games, O’Neill said: “My priorities are facts like Kyle Lafferty [Rangers] coming off injured last week and West Brom’s Chris Brunt getting injured. The situation around the anthem is not something I have given any consideration to. That’s a decision for other people; my focus is on building a competitive and fully inclusive international team.”

O’Neill’s first fixture as boss will be a Windsor Park friendly against Norway on February 29, followed by a trip to face Holland in Amsterdam on June 2 before Finland visit on August 15.

His side then face a daunting World Cup qualifying group as they prepare for clashes with Russia, Portugal, Israel, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.