O'Neill honoured to manage his country

FORMER Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O'Neill has, as expected, been confirmed as the new manager of Northern Ireland. The Portadown native has been given a two-year contract for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and will commence work with the Irish FA on February 1st.

The 42-year old is a former Norther Ireland player who scored 7 goals in 33 international appearances - and this afternoon the ex Hoops boss was beaming after being officially ratified as Nigel Worthington's successor in the Windsor Park hotseat, "I am honoured to be chosen to manage my country," said O'Neill, who guided Rovers to back-to-back Airtricity League Premier Division titles.

"I am a proud Northern Irishman who was fortunate enough to win 33 senior caps and it was always an ambition to manage my country."

O'Neill beat off competition from Iain Dowie and Jim Magilton to land the post after a historic season with Rovers when he led them to the group stages of the Europa League - in doing so, becoming the first League of Ireland team to reach the group phase of a European competition.

The former Newcastle United player has outlined his road map for the way ahead - which he hopes will see his men advance to the 2014 finals in Brazil.

His first game in charge will be a friendly against Norway at the end of February.

He said: "To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling but I am confident that we can make progress. Northern Ireland has a strong football tradition but one that needs to be refreshed with some more contemporary success.

"That is my primary objective – to restore a sense of belief and pride in what it means to represent Northern Ireland so that our players will want only to play for their country. That is how it should be. There is a huge amount of work to be done but with the right direction and the necessary passion good progress can be made.

"The board and the CEO have a clear plan for the future and have given me responsibility to set about the task of renewal within the context of a long-term plan. At the same time, in the interests of everyone involved, most particularly our supporters my job is to work with the players to sustain a competitive performance throughout the qualifying phase of the 2014 World Cup Finals."

Northern Ireland face a tough group in qualification having been paired alongside Portugal and Russia in Group F. Also included in their group are Isreal, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson and President Jim Shaw have both welcomed the appointment of O'Neill as manager.

"I am delighted that Michael has accepted the role of managing our senior international team and I would like to wish him every success as he prepares for the world cup qualifying campaign next year," said Shaw.

Nelson was similarly upbeat. The Irish FA CEO said: "Michael was the stand out choice from an excellent field. The selection panel was very impressed with his thoughts and plans for football in Northern Ireland over the coming years. We are all looking forward to 29 February now when we take on Norway at Windsor Park."