Michael O’Neill could be set to commit his future to Northern Ireland – after links with the vacant Rangers post disappeared.
Where on earth do Rangers go from here? The hiring of Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was on, off and on again before the 46-year-old finally brought an end to speculation last week by committing his future to the Pittodrie club.
And, now, it appears that the ideal back-up option is also slipping through Rangers’ grasp. The Daily Record claimed almost two months ago that Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was another name in the frame to replace Pedro Caixinha at Ibrox.
But after flirting with jobs at Ibrox and with the Scotland national team, O’Neill has admitted to the Daily Record that he is about to enter negotiations over a new contract to remain in charge of Northern Ireland. Links with Rangers, however, appear to have dried up completely.
But why have the Glasgow giants given up attempting to lure one of the most highly-rated and respected coaches in British football, a man who turned Northern Ireland from minnows into one of Europe’s most difficult-to-beat sides and led them to an international tournament for the first time in 30 years?
Chairman Dave King said at the club’s Annual General Meeting, as reported by the Daily Record, that he wanted someone with experience in coaching club teams in Britain after the disastrous reign of Pedro Caixinha.
With O’Neill boasting limited experience in club management, spending five years combined with Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers, perhaps this is why Rangers seemingly decided to tone down their interest.
Yet, O’Neill’s ability to foster a real spirit and make a team far greater than the sum of his parts suggests he might have been the right man to engineer a Rangers’ revolution.
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