Northern Ireland in tier two for inaugural UEFA Nations League draw
Motherwell manager in praise of O'Neill's decision to stay
Northern Ireland will find out today who they will face in the new UEFA Nations League tournament.
They have been placed in the second tier for the draw which gets under way this morning in Lausanne.
Based on ranking, 55 European countries have been split into four leagues.
The new tournament is designed to spice up international action and cut down the number of meaningless friendlies.
It will also offer a second chance at qualifiying for Euro 2020.
Northern Ireland sit alongside the Republic and Wales with England in the top tier and Scotland in the third group.
Michael O’Neil is expected to sign a new extension to his contract as Northern Ireland boss by the end of the week.
It has already sparked fierce criticism of Hampden chief executive Stewart Regan’s handling of the recruitment process.
Motherwell boss, Stephen Robinson who was O’Neill’s assistant at Northern Ireland, said he was glad to see him stay.
“As a Northern Ireland fan I am absolutely delighted,'' he said. “It was a massive opportunity to manage Scotland but he has done such a good job and he holds the key to the building at the Irish Football Association, he runs the place and in his mind he probably thinks there is unfinished business there.''
Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill has finally put pen to paper on a new two-year deal to stay as Republic boss.
It extends his and Roy Keane’s contracts until 2020