Michael O'Neill has no doubt over Arsenal teen despite FAI approach

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill named Ceadach O'Neill in his squad for the upcoming Nations League games

Ceadach O'Neill won his first two Northern Ireland caps in friendlies against Guinea and France. Pic: Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has no fears over Arsenal teen Ceadach O’Neill jumping ship despite the FAI’s pursuit of the Derry native.

The attacker, who turned 18 in April, was fast-tracked in May by winning his first two caps in friendlies against Guinea and France and has been retained for the upcoming Uefa Nations League quadruple-header.

Northern Ireland’s manager was irked by a pledge from new FAI director of football John Martin to avoid missing out on Northern-born players with a nationalist background, citing Liverpool’s Conor Bradley as one that potentially got away.

He is also annoyed that a player of such tender age as his namesake is being asked to cement his international future.

It now appears that the FAI’s desire to enlist O’Neill to their cause is over, as one minute on the pitch in any of the upcoming games against Georgia (twice), Ukraine and Hungary will prevent any transfer for three years. The player has missed the start of the season due to injury.

Asked if he had any doubt that O’Neill’s long-term future was with Northern Ireland, the manager said: “I’ve named him in the squad, so the fact I’ve picked him I think tells you that.

“Ceadach’s been in our pathway for a long time, been part of our academy, has two senior caps and is in on merit.” 

Asked how this latest tug-of-war between the neighbours has affected the teenager, his international boss said: “Ceadach’s a smart boy, a very balanced boy, who has got a good head on his shoulders and good family as well.

“It is a situation which is not created by us. It’s not created by the family or the player, but I think he’s handled it extremely well.

“He’s a very likeable kid. He has good conversations with me, (IFA Technical Director) Aaron Hughes and (Director of Elite Player Development) Andy Waterworth.

“When he came into our group in June, the plan was for Ceadach to only stay for the first game (against Guinea) because he had an exam a few days later, but he was only in the camp two days and he came and asked if he could stay for the whole camp.” 

O’Neill has been critical of the FAI’s tactics during his two spells in charge, acknowledging the right of approach but taking issue with the age of targeted players.

“Ceadach doesn’t have a bloodline to there (Ireland) but obviously the rules permit them to make that approach,” explained the former Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers manager.

“The thing that upsets me the most in this is that putting a young player in a position to make an international transfer that’s irreversible. To do that before he’s been a professional for even two years is, I think, not the right thing.

“It’s not something that any association should be doing.” 

He added: “I can think of only two players, James McClean and Shane Duffy, who’ve left us and gone on to win over 50 caps for the Republic.

“As an example, how many senior international caps did Daniel Kearns get after making the transfer?

“Even Michael Duffy, who was in our squad and has been a really good player for Derry City in the past, made an international transfer but was never recognised with a position in the squad.”