Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn would love it if Michael O’Neill snubbed the overtures of Scotland and remained in charge of Northern Ireland.
The Scottish FA is set to discuss the national team vacancy with O’Neill this week after reaching an agreement for compensation with Irish FA.
O’Neill is under contract until 2020 and has been offered a four-year extension after guiding the team to the 2016 European championship finals in France.
The 48-year-old, who lives in Edinburgh, knows the Scottish game well, having had spells at Dundee United, Hibernian, Aberdeen and St Johnstone during his playing days before going on to manage Brechin City.
Scotland have been without a manager since Gordon Strachan left in October and O’Neill has emerged as the SFA’s preferred candidate. But Northern Ireland international forward McGinn hopes O’Neill stays put.
McGinn said: “He’s done so well with Northern Ireland and he knows he’s loved by the players, the fans and the entire nation. “It’s now down to what he wants to do with his career and what steps he wants to take in management. If he goes we wish him all the best and if he stays then I can tell you the whole of Northern Ireland will be buzzing.
“It’s difficult for the players but when a team is doing well clubs will come calling or international sides will want him. The thing is he’s had plenty of time to think about it and I’m sure we’ll know sooner rather than later because of that.”
O’Neill is believed to want his future resolved before the draw for the Uefa Nations League on January 24.
McGinn, who rejoined the Dons at the end of last month, does not believe Northern Ireland have reached the end of their cycle and can still achieve more.
He added “We’re not blessed with vast numbers of players but we have shown in the last few years that with his organisation we can compensate for that. He’s put us on the map again and it’s been unbelievable chapter in my career to get to the Euros and push for the World Cup. I think another crack at the Euros is within us and to have Michael still there would be great.
“He lets you have your laughs and jokes at the right time but he’s deadly serious about his football. His backroom staff, too, are excellent in analysis and preparing you.”
