Michael O’Neil insists it’s ‘great to be back’ at Northern Ireland ahead of San Marino clash

Michael O’Neil launches his second term as Northern Ireland manager in San Marino on Thursday without a number of his most trusted players.

An away game against the Group H minnows in Serravalle would seem like an ideal way for O’Neill to kick off the Euro 2024 campaign in his first game back since returning to the job in December.

But his 140-cap skipper Steven Davis has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery, and Jonny Evans has withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring injury.

With Steven Dallas and Corry Evans also sidelined, O’Neill will be without a core of the players who helped him qualify for Euro 2016, Northern Ireland’s first major championships in 30 years.

‘It’s been great to be back,’ said the former Stoke manager, who is also without Shayne Lavery, Liam Boyce and Ali McCann.

Michael O’Neil is excited for the start of his second reign at Northern Ireland ahead of their clash against San Marino

‘You do wish some of the injuries hadn’t occurred, but that’s just something as an international manager you have to play the hand you’re dealt.

‘We’re down some senior players, there’s no doubt about that but this gives an opportunity to the younger players and I’m enthused by what I’ve seen.’ 

Northern Ireland went into the draw as fifth seeds following a disappointing spell under O’Neill’s successor Ian Baraclough, but could have ended up with a much tougher group than San Marino, Finland, Denmark, Slovenia and Kazakhstan.

However, O’Neill is refusing to under-estimate San Marino, who lie 152 places below his team in the FIFA world rankings.

‘We have to make sure we prepare for this game as we would for Denmark away, which we would anticipate will be the most difficult fixture in the group,’ added the 53-year-old, whose second game is a Windsor Park homecoming against Finland on Sunday.

O’Neil has tipped his side to find a way to cope despite being without a host of key players