England proved Germany are not invincible, says Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill
Monday 28 March 2016 09:14, UK
Michael O’Neill believes England exposed some frailties in world champions Germany which he hopes Northern Ireland can exploit at Euro 2016.
England fought back from two goals down in Berlin on Saturday to win 3-2 as goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier guided Roy Hodgson's side to victory.
O'Neill was a more interested spectator than most given his Northern Ireland team have been drawn against Germany in their group at Euro 2016 and in their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The defeat was Germany's third in four matches after losses to France and the Republic of Ireland and O'Neill hopes it shows his players that Joachim Low's team are fallible ahead of their match in Paris on June 21.
"I don't think we would maybe approach it the way England would approach it," O'Neill said.
"Every team has frailties and I think England exposed that to an extent. It was interesting that the starting line-up of Germany had only five that started in the World Cup final.
"There's been quite a transition in their team and squad. Speaking to different people, there are certain areas they are concerned about.
"I'm not going to say too much because (Low's) options are pretty good!
"There's no point in us telling our players, 'these guys are brilliant, we're never going to beat them'. If there aren't frailties there we will make them up and we'll tell the players that!
"I haven't watched the (England) game in any great detail. Even in qualification you see the Republic of Ireland took four points off Germany, Scotland were narrowly beaten at home and narrowly beaten away.
"There's maybe a combination of a hangover from the World Cup and a bit of transition in their team as well. But we're under no illusions; it's going to be as difficult a game as we can possibly expect."
Whatever O'Neill devises in trying to plot Germany's downfall, those plans are unlikely to include Watford striker Troy Deeney.
The 27-year-old suggested possible Northern Ireland recognition could still be on the cards when interviewed on Sky Sports' Soccer AM on Saturday, despite the fact it was revealed three years ago that he was not eligible because it was his great grandfather, rather than his grandfather, who had the Northern Irish heritage.
"You could dress this up and tell half truths, but the reality is nothing has changed," O'Neill confirmed.
"I spoke with Troy about four years ago, not long after I took the job. I was alerted to Troy's potential eligibility, and I spoke to the player and had him watched. We were informed that the eligibility wasn't there, so we didn't pursue it any further.
"So the idea that we are suddenly speaking again is strange. We haven't spoken since four years ago. Saturday's news prompted a few texts and tweets, but it is news to me, as it has been to everyone else."
