Northern Ireland: Nations League time for new Northern Ireland leaders

As ever for international managers, the biggest problem lies outside O’Neill’s control: where and how often his players take to the field.

Bradley has been benched for Liverpool’s first three games under Arne Slot, but those are the only minutes his entire squad has played in the Premier League this season.

Charles left recently promoted Southampton for Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan deal, while Callum Marshall will spend another year away from West Ham, this time at Huddersfield. Having finally sealed a move from Newcastle, there will also be hope that Jamal Lewis will get regular football at Sao Paulo.

“I think this is an interesting group of players,” O’Neill said.

“They have to develop individually. The care is a bit like where do they get their minutes from?

“It is very difficult to come and play internationally if you are not playing or if your club situation is not exactly positive. I know that from my own experience.”

While O’Neill can identify with the throwback to the glory days of a previous generation (he joined a Northern Ireland team in 1988 that had qualified for the last two World Cups, something the country has failed to do since), he sees the Nations League as an important step in the development of his new team, especially given their lack of competitive victories of late.

“As good as Jonny, Steven, Craig and these people were as players, they often had games where they didn’t win much.

“You also have to go through these periods. This Nations League gives us the chance to win games against opponents who test us.”