O’Neill all set for Ireland call

Martin O’Neill remains the clear leader in the Irish managerial succession stakes as the field narrowed yesterday with two predicted runners and riders eliminating themselves from the race while the favourite announced that he was ready for a return to management.

Former international Chris Hughton — the Norwich City manager who was previously assistant to Brian Kerr in the Ireland job — stressed he is “incredibly happy” with his job at Carrow Road, while Leeds boss Brian McDermott not only ruled himself out of the running but went so far as to declare that O’Neill would be “a really good choice” to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni.

O’Neill has already let it be known that he would be interested in the job and, with the association’s Board of Management due to meet next week to consider the managerial vacancy, the former Celtic, Aston Villa and Sunderland manager is understood to be top of their list.