Michael O'Neill not worried about in-form striker making switch from the Republic
The former Cliftonville striker has hit the ground running since joining Ross County in the summer, bagging an impressive six goals in 10 games for the Scottish Premiership side
Michael O'Neill insists he has no concerns over Ronan Hale’s switch to Northern Ireland despite the ongoing delay.
The former Cliftonville striker has hit the ground running since joining Ross County in the summer, bagging an impressive six goals in 10 games for the Scottish Premiership side.
It is prolific form that O’Neill would love to call upon for the upcoming Nations League games against Belarus and Bulgaria, but the international boss says the transfer from the Republic of Ireland will take time.
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“I spoke to Ronan before he went to Ross County and I spoke to Ross County before the signing of Ronan, and subsequently I’ve spoken to him post that. There has been a lot of communication with the player, but the process is the process, it’s an administrative thing, it’s not something we can ask if they can do it tomorrow for us,” he explained.
“In our experience, it takes time, not just with our association but with other associations as well. It’s disappointing that it hasn’t come through yet but, if I am honest, I didn’t expect it to be through in this period of time.
“We watch Ronan as if he is one of our own players. Jimmy Nicholl was at his game against Hearts at the weekend, he scored a great goal. I saw him earlier in the season in the Cup, a tough game where they were beaten by Spartans, and our scout watched him against Rangers.
“We’re keeping an eye on him but until we get the clearance from FIFA, we can’t select him.”
With Hale showing impressive form for Ross County, there are fears that the FAI may attempt to dissuade the 26-year-old from switching to Northern Ireland.
Ongoing delays over the transfer have only swelled those concerns, but O’Neill insists the landscape hasn’t changed.
“I would assume that conversation would have taken place when he notified the FAI that he was going to transfer, because he had to do that. The FAI have been complicit in the transfer, so it’s just conjecture, we don’t know any of that,” O’Neill said.
“If I was a player looking at the situation, well, who’s playing for the Republic of Ireland? Evan Ferguson. I would maybe think, okay, where are my opportunities going to be in that situation?
“To be honest, I don’t pay attention to that type of stuff. The process is, the first thing he has to do is notify his existing association that he wants to leave. So I would assume the conversations took place from their end at that point, if the manager or someone else within the association wanted to speak to him.”
O’Neill yesterday named a 24-man squad for the games against Belarus (October 12) and Bulgaria (Oct 15)
Striker Jamie Reid returns from injury alongside Jordan Thompson and Brodie Spencer who both missed the opening games against Luxembourg and Bulgaria.
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles – brother of midfielder Shea – and Caolan Boyd-Munce are also included, while Shayne Lavery and Conor Hazard miss out through injury.
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