JIMMY NICHOLL admits it would be ‘brilliant’ if Michael O’Neill committed his future to Northern Ireland after fearing he would be stepping down as manager following their failure to reach the World Cup in Russia.
O’Neill is the man that the Scottish FA want to succeed Gordon Strachan as Scotland boss but their hopes appear to be fading as the 48-year-old considers his future.
Missing out on O’Neill would be a considerable blow for Stewart Regan but Nicholl hopes he remains at the Windsor Park helm
Read more: Jamie Murphy relieved his dream move to Rangers didn't fall through at the eleventh hour
He said: “That would be brilliant. I know he had a couple of offers. That is so pleasing.
“He just weighs things up. He wouldn’t want to go through what he did, taking the boys to the Euros and just missing out on the World Cup on a penalty kick, and then maybe lose four or five and then have to rebuild again. He might be able to get us to the Euros.
“What I was always hoping, that if he could get another campaign out of the squad, especially the defenders like big (Gareth) McCauley, Jonny Evans and even Steve Davis. If he got another campaign out of the older ones I thought he would stay.
“I asked him often enough. He had a lot going on in his personal life and then there were a couple of clubs interested. He said he hadn’t made up his mind.
“I was concerned he might have gone to Scotland. I definitely was because then Northern Ireland would have been looking for another manager to take us to the next Euros.
Read more: Jamie Murphy realises his boyhood dream after signing for Rangers
“I am not saying I wouldn’t have like it for him because he has to do what he feels is best for him. It would have been a big disappointment for Northern Ireland to get over – if he had gone.”
Nicholl has a new position of his own to get stuck into now after he was appointed as Graeme Murty’s assistant at Rangers.
The 61-year-old left Falkirk to clinch a return to Ibrox last and is with the Gers at the Florida Cup.
Nicholl said: “It made an old man very happy. Without doubt I thought this opportunity had passed me by.
“I always believe I am lucky. I was lucky when Michael O’Neill invited me into Northern Ireland when they were top of their group.
Read more: Jamie Murphy targets a Scotland cap call after clinching Rangers switch
“You normally get the shout when things aren’t going so well. Michael took me in and told me he just wanted me about the place.
“Paul Hartley went to Falkirk and asked if I would come and help him. Brilliant – things just fall like that for me.
“Suddenly I was getting back into the swing of things of full-time football with Paul and Alex Smith at Falkirk and then I got the phone call that Graeme has the job would I like to come?
“It is brilliant because at this stage of your career everything has passed you by. But I am here now and what can I offer?”
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