O'Neill admits to difficult decisions ahead

Ahead of the upcoming internationals with the Netherlands and Belarus, Martin O’Neill has insisted his focus is on the difficult job of reducing his initial 35-man squad to the 23 who he will be taking to France.

There are a couple of places still undecided for O’Neill who was in buoyant form when he joked at Wednesday’s press conference: “If there are one or two who are bigger than me, I may well write to them.”

Reflecting on the difficulty of the choices ahead, O’Neill pointed to the difference between clubs and international duty for the players when he said, “At club level, it’s a pretty frequent event. On a Friday, you’re telling a group of players, ‘You’re not going to be involved, but there’s a possibility of being involved next week’.

“But these players here at international level give up their time and energy, want to be involved and have been involved… So yes, there are a few decisions to make and there will be disappointment.”

Discussing the one or two places still up for grabs, He went on to say that game time is an important issue when looking at players such as Darren Gibson, Eunan O’Kane and Harry Arter who have been in and out of their respective sides.

He added, however, “it will be the training sessions and the matches that ultimately will make my mind up about these things.”

On the players that will be involved O’Neill quickly put aside any worries that hung over Shane Long, who limped out of training with a slight knock to his knee. A cut on the knee had required two stitches but the Southampton striker trained as usual otherwise.

James McCarthy had good news from a scan on his thigh as O’Neill insisted he would be given all the time he needs and won’t be rushed back as he remains a doubt for Friday night’s clash with the Dutch.

Ciaran Clark is also a doubt for Friday as he nurses an ankle problem. O’Neill looked unconcerned though as he said the Aston Villa defender was ‘not completely right, but improving.”

O’Neill also put rest to any worries that might remain with the spirit of both Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan. The Norwich pair both suffered relegation and he insisted that the prospect of the European Championship this June would give them both something to look forward to.

The subject of James McClean also provided some humour for O’Neill as while confirming he will be on the plane, he also added “I’m hoping he will behave himself because if he’s not in the side I don’t want him to throw a tantrum. I might have to send him home.“