O& #39;Neill& #39;s legacy is that he changed how we thought about football in Northern Ireland. Even 2011, we still clung on to the idea that our national team could win matches by showing more belief and passionate than our opponent. We were honest but outdated.
And when we lost, we shrugged our shoulders and sang & #39;we& #39;ll support you ever more& #39;.
& #39;Sure what did you expect, we& #39;re only a wee country? Mine& #39;s a pint& #39;.
We were an anti-intellectual football nation.
& #39;Sure what did you expect, we& #39;re only a wee country? Mine& #39;s a pint& #39;.
We were an anti-intellectual football nation.
O& #39;Neill changed that. He challenged our players to retain possession. He asked them to win more free-kicks and manage the game. He built a culture that meant players showed up for even meaningless games. He forced our association to revamp their youth structure and recruitment.