Martin O’Neill coy over new Irish contract

“It will be hard to shake me off if we’ve qualified for France,” Martin O’Neill said with a grin. “I would be ecstatic if we did and I’d love to lead the team to France.”

The manager was responding in emphatic terms yesterday to a question about the prospect of extending his contract with Ireland but, despite strong indications the FAI have already made up their minds they want him to stay on, O’Neill also made it clear he will not be formally discussing the matter with them until qualification for the Euro Finals has been resolved, one way or the other.

“There has been no further talks and that is fine, absolutely fine,” he said. “The contract essentially ends roughly within a week or so of us finishing. If we qualify, let me make this clear, it would be great, I’d love to take team to France, that would be fantastic - then we can sit down at leisure and discuss those things.