Euro 2016 memories aplenty - but O'Neill focused on future

What the report says

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says he is not dwelling on the team’s famous Euro 2016 win over Ukraine, even though the fixture inevitably brings back memories for supporters and players. Speaking ahead of Friday’s UEFA Nations League meeting in Trnava, where Ukraine are playing home matches because of the war with Russia, O'Neill said the current squad should be allowed to build its own identity rather than being measured against that side.

BBC Sport reports that only two players from Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad remain in the current group, with Josh Magennis and Paddy McNair among the senior figures in a much younger team. Former captain Steven Davis is now part of O'Neill’s coaching staff. The article notes that some current players were children during the tournament, underlining how much the squad has changed since that famous night in France.

O'Neill’s longer-term target is to guide Northern Ireland back to a major finals at Euro 2028. His side have made a positive start to their Nations League campaign, including a late win in Georgia and a draw against Hungary. Those results, along with a disciplined display against top-level opponents, have added to the sense that the team is developing under a younger core.

Looking ahead to Ukraine, O'Neill described the opposition as dangerous and stressed their collective strength rather than any one star player. BBC Sport says he has studied their recent matches closely as Northern Ireland continue their push to compete in League B and build toward future qualification goals.