O’NEILL HAILS HUGHES RETURN
24-MAN SQUAD: New Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill yesterday
MICHAEL O’Neill believes Aaron Hughes’ return from international exile will give Northern Ireland football a “massive lift”.
Six months ago Hughes made the decision to focus solely on his club career with Fulham after earning 79 caps.
But now the 32-year-old has had a change of heart and decided to return to the fold under new manager O’Neill.
Hughes notified the Northern Ireland boss on Saturday night that he was ready to pledge his immediate future to the green jersey.
It followed “positive talks” between the player and O’Neill’s assistant Billy McKinlay – who is also on the coaching staff at Fulham.
“I am delighted with Aaron’s decision. We had a good meeting last week and he informed me on Saturday evening of his intentions to resume his international career,” O’Neill said.
“It’s a great boost for me personally as manager and for the squad as well.
“I had wanted to speak to Aaron from the minute I got the job. I got the staff in place first, but Billy had a feeling that Aaron was considering returning.
“I felt Billy would be a positive influence in the whole scenario. I went over and spent a couple of days at Fulham with Aaron and Chris Baird. We had a very positive hour and a half together. I was optimistic, but he was keen to come back as soon as possible.
“I left it with him and didn’t put any deadlines or ultimatums on the table. The pleasing thing was how swiftly he came back to me and the fact he is so keen to be involved in this game from the start.
“I had told him if he needed more time to make his decision, I was fine with that, but he was keen to make it now.”
O’Neill admits Hughes’ return came sooner than expected.
His initial target was to have the experienced defender on board for the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.
“He was keen to come back from the start and for this friendly, so that was a real boost,” O’Neill added.
“There are no conditions attached to Aaron’s return. The conversation was purely down to football and it wasn’t around demands Aaron had or I had. It was purely down to how we can progress as a team.
“I impressed upon him how important a role he has, not only on the pitch, but in the squad. It was a very relaxed and easy conversation.
“There was no contention in it at all. There were no demands from either party. The bottom line was he is available and ready to play.”
It remains to be seen whether Hughes will once again be handed the skipper’s armband – he captained his country for eight years before his retirement last year.
“No, I haven’t decided at this minute in time who will captain the side.” O’Neill said.
“Aaron is one of a number of candidates. He has had the armband for a long time.
“He didn’t play in the last two Euro qualifiers and Steven (Davis) stepped up in that situation.
“That will be evaluated and confirmed over the next three games.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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Tomorrow
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