Michael O’Neill denies links with Hibs
Credit:
Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill has denied any links with the vacant manager’s position at Scottish side Hibernian. The former Northern Ireland international enjoyed a number of years at the Edinburgh club as a player in the nineties and has been linked with a return.
“There is no situation and there never has been,” O’Neill told extratime.ie’s Lisa Fallon.
“I’m under contract with Shamrock Rovers and my focus has never been anywhere else.”
Hibs have been without a manager since the sacking of Colin Calderwood earlier this month and currently sit two points off the bottom of the Scottish Premier League.
O’Neill, who joined Rovers in December of 2008, says that there has been no contact between himself and Hibs or between the two clubs over the matter.
“Obviously as an ex-player at that club the speculation can be quiet intense but it’s not a job that I applied for. I wouldn’t do that because I’m under contract.
“Hibs have not approached Shamrock Rovers to speak to me which would be the first step in any process.
“My focus is the game tomorrow night [against Malmö of Sweden] and the remaining games in the Europa League.”
The Hoops still have to make the trip to Rubin Kazan in Russia next week and can look forward to hosting Tottenham at the Tallaght Stadium in the final game of their groundbreaking European journey. O’Neill suggest that he wants to stay after beyond that.
“Discussions between myself and the board are ongoing. I’ve never suggested that I want to leave Rovers.
“My three years here have been very successful, and they’ve been very hard work too if I’m honest. It has been a very enjoyable time to be at the club.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done at Rovers. Hopefully the board see me as the right man to drive the club forward.”
One job O’Neill refused to dismiss is that of Northern Ireland manager.
“To get the opportunity to manage your country is a great honour. I never ruled myself in or out of that job.
“If Northern Ireland wanted to speak to me, they would have to go through the proper channels and through Shamrock Rovers.
“If that situation ever arises, the club will deal with it and I will deal with it. But it’s not as if I’m out there touting myself for another job.”
Rovers fans will no doubt be happy to hear their manager’s words of commitment in dispelling the rumours. O’Neill might be staying but takes the whispers as a compliment.
“There’s always going to be speculation – It’s a sign that you’ve doing a good job.”
Extended audio of Lisa Fallon’s exclusive interview with Michael O’Neill will be posted this afternoon.
