• Football

  • Internationals

Czech Republic News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Stats
  • Squad
More from Football
  • Football Home
  • Internationals

Michael O'Neill says current Northern Ireland squad is amongst their best ever

Last Updated: 03/09/17 4:41pm

Northern Ireland beat San Marino 3-0 on Friday to close in on a World Cup play-off place
Northern Ireland beat San Marino 3-0 on Friday to close in on a World Cup play-off place

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill believes the current international squad should be viewed as amongst the country's greatest ever.

Northern Ireland need only a point from their World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Monday to confirm second place in Group C, earning them a position in the play-offs.

Play £1million Super 6!

Guaranteed £1m prize until won

O'Neill's side - who are hoping to become only Northern Ireland's fourth team to reach the World Cup finals - beat San Marino 3-0 on Friday, which enhances their claims of reaching back-to-back major tournaments after getting to the knockout stages at Euro 2016.

It is a feat the Northern Irish boss believes should grant them the status of being amongst the nation's best ever players.

Jonny Evans is amongst Northern Ireland's regular starters and featured for his nation in their run to the knockout stages at Euro 2016
Jonny Evans is amongst Northern Ireland's regular starters and featured for his nation in their run to the knockout stages at Euro 2016

"My real satisfaction in all of this is for our players, particularly those close to 100 caps, to get the opportunity to go to a World Cup. It's phenomenal, particularly off the back of the Euros," O'Neill said.

"We'll talk about the great players and who's Northern Ireland's greatest player but when you view players based on their international careers, you'll find some players in our squad will have international careers that will rank up with the best ever players that have played for Northern Ireland."

Watch highlights of Northern Ireland's 3-0 win away to San Marino on Friday night
Watch highlights of Northern Ireland's 3-0 win away to San Marino on Friday night

Despite the team being on the brink of moving a step closer to qualification, O'Neill is remaining grounded with a play-off encounter potentially on the horizon.

"We have to be realistic, we've nothing to celebrate just yet," he stressed.

Northern Ireland are now ranked 23rd in FIFA's world rankings
Northern Ireland are now ranked 23rd in FIFA's world rankings

"We have to play a play-off game, there's a lot more football to be played. If we do get second place it's a fantastic achievement, but it doesn't guarantee us a place in Russia, the players know that and I know that."

Northern Ireland - now ranked 23rd in the world rankings - host Czech Republic on Monday evening, live on Sky Sports Mix.

Also See:

  • Czechs have to beat NI - O'Neill
  • San Marino 0-3 Northern Ireland
  • O'Neill relief at San Marino win
  • Davis: Why I denied Magennis

Trending

  • 1
    Sir Alex to manage United vs Bayern
  • 2
    Pep takes blame for Mahrez not playing
  • 3
    What to expect at F1 testing
  • 4
    Merson's FA Cup predictions
  • 5
    Trippier salutes Tottenham team effort
  • 6
    Fitter, stronger, a new boxing science?
  • 7
    Whyte: Joshua loss won't shock me
  • 8
    WWE Elimination Chamber predictions!
  • 9
    Ferrari and McLaren stay on message
  • 10
    Vettel: Ferrari are different in 2019
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK