Euro qualification would be ‘reward’ for Davis, says boss O’Neill

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes that qualifying for next year’s Euro 2016 finals would be a fitting reward for his captain and fellow Ballymena man Steven Davis.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill and captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's press conference at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill and captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's press conference at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill and captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's press conference at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.

Northern Ireland are on the cusp of qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in 30 years, and boss O’Neill believes the country “needs” to be in France next summer.

Victories over the Faroe Islands and Hungary, coupled with the latter dropping points against Group F leaders Romania on Friday, would assure Northern Ireland of a place in France next summer.

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Ahead of tonight’s game in the Faroe Islands, O’Neill said: “There are lot of players who have played down the years for Northern Ireland and not had the chance to go to a major finals, a lot of really good players.

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's training session at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's training session at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.
Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis during Thursday night's training session at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 Qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Picture: Press Eye.

“This is a group of players who have given themselves this opportunity with what they’ve done to date, so I don’t worry that mentally they’ll not be able to handle the situation or the games that lie ahead. They recognise the prize that lies ahead for them and I’ve every confidence.

“The likes of Steven (Davis), Aaron Hughes, Chris Baird, just to name three players alone, have served Northern Ireland now for the best part of 10, 15 years. It would be their reward to get to the finals. It’s that type of player and other senior players around them that have put themselves in this position.”

And O’Neill has issued a rallying cry to his squad ahead of the crunch double header in their qualifying campaign, urging them to deliver an historic moment for their nation.

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“If we were to manage to maintain our form and secure qualification, I think it would be the first time in history that a pot-five team has qualified,” O’Neill said.

“That gives you an indication of where this team has come to.

“The motivation is there because Northern Ireland needs it. Simple as that. Nothing else.

“We need it as a country and as a group of players, as a group of supporters. We’re not hiding behind that, and we want to deliver it. We need this and I think the players recognise they have the capability to deliver it.”

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“Obviously the prize is huge and you do think both about the significance of qualification and, if it didn’t go our way, the significance of that also.

“But within this group of players there’s a hard core of players who recognise that there’s a real opportunity for them to have their international careers significantly remembered,” added O’Neill.