Michael O'Neill believes Northern Ireland success story will go on

O’Neill helped restore the glory days to the Green and White Army during his nine-year spell in charge.

He took them to their first major tournament in 30 years when they qualified for the European Championships in 2016.

And they are within 180 minutes of qualifying for the current Euros if they can negotiate a way past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off semi-final.

O’Neill feels the squad is more than capable of replicating the success of four years ago.

But he points to a mentality change and player availability as key aspects of any success.

“In any managerial situation the biggest thing is squad availability,” he said.

“In my first campaign I had so many players missing due to injury, suspension and unavailability.

“It makes it even more difficult to do your job when you only have 60 or 60 per cent of players available, especially when you only have a base of 30-35 players to choose from.

“I have no doubt that players like Steven Davis and Jonny Evans will play on as long as possible.

“But there has to be patience too when young players are asked to step up, as it is a big ask for those players to come in and compete with the top countries straight away despite them not having played a lot of international games.

“It’s been great to see the young players come in and do so well when players like Gareth McAuley and Aaron Hughes retired.

“I have to admit I did find it difficult at the start as international football wasn’t at the forefront of some players’ minds.

“It was a big thing for me to see that mindset change and players wanting to amass caps and play at major tournaments.

“It was so satisfying for me to see guys at the latter stage of their career valuing playing for Northern Ireland.

“That has to be passed on to the young players coming into the squad.

“And they will when they see what it meant to the likes of Aaron Hughes to play at the Euros.

“It’s so important for young players to see that.

“In the last while the likes of Jamal Lewis and Bailey Peacock Farrell have come in and done well.

“They have seen what it means to the likes of Gareth McAuley or Aaron Hughes to be part of the squad.

“Davo will play on and break Pat Jennings’ record, Jonny will get over 100 caps, and you have the likes of Stuart Dallas, Craig Cathcart and Corry Evans who have so much to play for and want to do so well for their country.

“Niall McGinn is another with over 60 caps.

“When I look back on my own international career I’m disappointed I didn’t get more caps, but a lot of that was my own fault.”