Spain trip no holiday insists Michael O'Neill as he wants hard work to continue

It may be approaching the holiday season but Michael O'Neill insists Northern Ireland's trip to Spain next month will be far from an end of season jolly. O'Neill has named a strong squad for the friendly double-header against Spain and Andorra as he bids to keep the momentum going with one eye already on the World Cup qualifiers, which begin next year.

"I only had one player, Paddy Lane, who said he felt he’d benefit from not being involved," revealed O'Neill when asked if players were keen to play after a long season."My argument to that was ‘Well, that won’t benefit you going forward because you need to commit to international football. You have to be part of the group, come into the squad and establish yourself in the squad, then try to establish yourself in the team.’ We’re looking for that commitment from the players.

“People go ‘Why would you take that game? What chance have you got away to Spain?’ For me we’re talking about the development of a team here and the development of a squad. We’re asking players to come and play on June the 8th having played a lot of football – but they’re excited because they’re playing Spain away, that’s what motivates them to play.

"They enjoy being together and these games at the end of the season, you get a lot out of them if the players really commit to it, because they can bring it forward into September. Off the back of a good camp in March hopefully we can replicate that in these two games."

Jonny Evans Michael O'neill

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Northern Ireland First Minister O'Neill apologises for Storey funeral attendance during pandemicMichelle O'Neill said her actions compounded the hurt of those that lost loved ones.
Source: itvnews - 🏆 69. / 61 Read more »

Michael O'Neill discloses Ronan Hale interest but international call a way offNorthern Ireland boss says several clubs have contacted him about Cliftonville striker
Source: BelfastLive - 🏆 16. / 77 Read more »

Michael O'Neill tips NI coach for very top as European winners linked with moveO'Neill says it is difficult to 'put a ceiling' on how far the young manager can go
Source: BelfastLive - 🏆 16. / 77 Read more »

Jonny Evans: Manchester United defender returns to Northern Ireland squad for Spain and Andorra gamesBrothers Jonny and Corry Evans are recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming internationals with Spain and Andorra in June.
Source: BBCSport - 🏆 111. / 51 Read more »

Man extradited from Northern Ireland to Spain to face murder chargeThe man was arrested in the Craigavon area of Co Armagh on February 23.
Source: Observer_Owl - 🏆 18. / 72 Read more »

Man extradited from Northern Ireland to Spain to face murder chargeThe man was arrested in the Craigavon area of Co Armagh on February 23.
Source: Glasgow_Times - 🏆 76. / 59 Read more »