Monday 9 October 2017 23:28, UK
Craig Bellamy gave a fascinating insight into Martin O’Neill’s unusual management style, after the Republic of Ireland manager led his side to the World Cup play-offs.
Ireland beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff thanks to James McClean's second-half strike, meaning they will now go into a two-legged play-off in November for a place in Russia next summer.
Bellamy, who played under O'Neill at Celtic during a short loan stint in 2005, lifted the lid on his management style, saying the Northern Irishman never drilled players on set pieces, and could "go for" players more than any manager he has played under.
Bellamy said on Sky Sports: "As we go through coaching and managing, and a lot of stuff we get taught, you can just throw it out the window. He does the complete opposite.
"There were times you would turn up on a Friday, and you wouldn't know what formation you're playing on a Saturday, he'd just read a list, and I'd have to look at Neil Lennon and ask: 'What formation are we playing?' There was no information whatsoever.
"But I tell you, he knew his players, you knew where you stood with him. If you played well for him, the confidence he'd give you, the way he could make you feel, you'd just want to run even more for him afterwards.
"If you didn't, he was brilliant at being able to tell you, his discipline, and the way he could go for you after the game was more than anyone else [I played under].
"But there was no rocket science. For set pieces for instance, his teams are always brilliant with set pieces… I never worked on one set piece with him. Never.
"He just expects you to attack the ball in their box, and your box. I can't' tell you why he does well, but it's just something about the guy, he's just an incredible, incredible man."
Former Ireland international Keith Andrews says O'Neill is like a man with the Midas touch, and praised his motivational skills in getting the results when needed in his four-year stint.
"I've said it before about Martin. I think he's a manager that has the Midas touch. If it's luck, motivational team talks, tweaking things at half-time, he just has a knack.
"This group of players just buys into what he does, and normally it works."
