Stephen Kenny's Ireland's call for Colum O'Neill

O’Neill, who worked recently alongside Kenny in the Ireland U21 set-up, will join Limavady native and former Brandywell favourite, Ruaidhri Higgins, as the ex-Derry boss confirmed his backroom team.

“I’m buzzing to get that call from Stephen because it’s pretty much the highest level you can work at, international football. It’s definitely exciting and I’m absolutely thrilled and looking forward to it,” confirmed O’Neill.

“Obviously Stephen got the senior job earlier than expected because of the whole coronavirus situation and I wasn’t speaking to him at all when it was announced that he would be taking over from Mick McCarthy. I sent him a text congratulating him but that was it, because there’s more important stuff on his plate but when he rang I was buzzing. I didn’t know really what to expect but I was delighted when he offered me a position on the back-room team.

“I’m a football fan like everybody else. I’ve gone to the Brandywell my whole life. I’m a Liverpool fan and I go up and down to Ireland games, in fact, I used to be a season ticket holder. As kids we all dream of playing at that level but when you realise that’s never going to happen, this is the next best thing, being involved for your country in some capacity.

“I’m a football fan and an Irish man first and foremost so these are exciting and proud times for me.”

Having worked with Kenny not just at the Brandywell, but also at Dunfermline Athletic, O’Neill was part of the Dubliner’s under 21 set-up and feels that experience will benefit him.

“I suppose there are a few familiar faces which is good. On the playing front there’s obviously James (McClean) whom I worked with at Derry City. Shane Duffy is a Derry lad who, I have to admit, I don’t really know. I have met him once or twice but I couldn’t say I know him and then obviously there’s Ruaidhri Higgins whom I know well and I’m delighted that he has come on board,” added O’Neill.

“Ruaidhri has always had an ambition to be involved on the coaching side of football and his role will suit him and Stephen obviously trusts him. So, yeah, it makes it a bit easier when there are familiar faces, not just through Derry City but also from the U21s. I think there are four or five of the U21 backroom staff who have moved up.

“Gary (Seery - Assistant Analyst), Kevin (Mulholland - physio), one of the kitmen, Fergus (McNally), and obviously Keith (Andrews) have all come up from the U21s so that will make it a little bit easier when I go in on the first day.”

And taking that step up to work with the likes of Seamus Coleman, John Egan and the others is something that excites O’Neill.

“This is a whole new level but in theory a lot of the work will stay the same. Yes, you are working with a higher level but you try to be as professional no matter what level you are working at. You try to bring the same standards whether it’s for the U21s, seniors or whatever level you are at.

“But yeah, working with Premier League footballers as well as highly experienced and qualified staff should be a good experience all round.”

The ex-Finn Harps physio like has a lot of faith in the new Ireland manager and believes exciting times lie ahead for Irish football fans.

“The Covid-19 situation threw a few spanners in the works in terms of the play-off, the Euros and the international football scene as a whole but, yes, it’s exciting times and a new era.

“I have a lot of faith in Stephen and I’m sure a lot of League of Ireland people are the same because they’ve seen what he has done. I’m no football expert but having worked with the U21s, there seems to be plenty of good young players coming through over the next couple of years so the fans have a lot to look forward to.”