The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
North teams ready to shine in cup
missing out on next year’s World Cup in Russia. He is under contract until 2020 and the Irish Football Association is believed to have offered him an improved deal to remain at the helm.
However, O’Neill may feel this is the right time to find a fresh challenge as it is difficult to see what more he could achieve with his country.
There are a lot of similarities between the Scotland and Northern Ireland jobs but, if he was to accept the Scotland post, he would inherit a stronger playing squad.
Under O’Neill, Northern Ireland relished going into games as the underdogs and they always set up in a very pragmatic, defensive manner.
That certainly worked for Northern
Ireland as they managed to defy the odds.
But it will probably take a more expansive approach with Scotland, especially as most of our strongest players are attack-minded.
It has been quite a journey for O’Neill, who cut his teeth as a manager at Brechin City in 2006 before moving to Shamrock Rovers two years later.
Some people will be concerned that he hasn’t had the opportunity to manage a big club, such as a team in the English Championship or even the Scottish Premiership, but he has proven that he can handle the demands of international football.
He is at a good age and he is ambitious.
I think O’Neill would be a very good appointment.
I’m sure the Tartan Army would be happy if he gets the post.
He lives in Edinburgh and he knows the Scottish game very well.
Michael had spells at Dundee United, Hibernian, Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Clydebank and Ayr United as a player before taking charge at Glebe Park. He is very approachable and I think he could be the right man for the job. Does it matter that he is not Scottish? I don’t think so.
I would be concerned if we went for a manager with a big reputation such as a Fabio Capello or a Jurgen Klinsmann who are held in high regard but know little about our national game.
Michael is regularly spotted at Scottish Premiership matches on a Saturday, so he will know exactly what he is coming into and the standard of players at his disposal.
There are other candidates for the job but I think the Scottish FA is right to test the waters and find out if O’Neill is keen to swap Windsor Park for Hampden. It is an exciting weekend for Aberdeen juniors Banks o’ Dee and the Highland League clubs in action in the Scottish Cup.
The Spain Park men have a difficult tie against Ian McCall’s Ayr United, who have scored more goals than any other team in British football this season.
But the Honest Men won’t fancy going to play a tricky tie on an artificial surface against a team used to winning matches in the North Superleague.
And I’m sure Dee co-managers Tommy Forbes and Sandy McNaughton will have their players primed for what will be a big occasion for the junior team.
Cove Rangers, Buckie Thistle, Formartine United and Brora Rangers all have difficult matches against SPFL opposition but I’m sure they will all fancy their chances.
It is great that these community clubs get this opportunity in the Scottish Cup.
With the top-flight teams entering the competition in the next round, a victory this weekend could leave them with an exciting and lucrative draw to look forward to when the next round takes place in January.
“He is at a good age and he is ambitious. I think he would be a very good appointment”
“Michael is regularly spotted at Scottish Premiership matches”