O’Neill lands Ireland job

Wednesday, 28/12/2011

Former Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill is the new boss of Northern Ireland.

The 42-year-old takes over from Nigel Worthington and has been given a two-year deal.

O’Neill, a former Northern Ireland forward, played for Newcastle in the late 1980s before moving to Dundee, Hibs, Coventry, Aberdeen, Reading, Wigan, St. Johnstone, a spell in America, Clydebank, Glentoran and finally Ayr United.

He hung up his boots in 2004 before moving into management with Brechin in 2006.

O'Neill had been in charge at Shamrock Rovers since 2009 and quit recently with less than one year left on his contract.

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson 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."

O'Neill, who won 33 caps for his country, will be charge on February 29 when Northern Ireland play Norway at Windsor Park."

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