Michael O'Neill savoured a "special night" after watching his young Northern Ireland side thrash Bulgaria 5-0 in an outstanding display that sent them top of their Nations League group.
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I was at Windsor Park last night. Bulgaria were dire, but it wasn't the first time I wished Michael O'Neill had had a go with the BIG. A friend who has attended the home internationals at both the Aviva and Windsor Park for some time now commented "I've often come away from Windsor disappointed, but I've never felt let down."
I was at the game too, and while Bulgaria were indeed dire, nonetheless I hope I'm not being too biased in saying NI were very good indeed.Originally Posted by Demesne Lad
And as you say, the key to this is Michael - absolutely top class manager, of that there is no doubt. In particular, he's very good when he's got time to work with the players, it being no coincidence that with NI's two games this time being at the end of the window, he had a full week with his squad. (It was the same the first time he took over, when he credits a summer tour to Sth America with giving him solid coaching time with his players.)
In particular, he clearly inspires young players - the average age of last night's team was 22 years and 7 months, with rookie keeper Pierce Charles winning his 2nd cap at just 19 - both clean sheets for a lad who is back-up gk at Sheff Wed!
And I love that quotation, which I'm sure I'll steal!
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