Northern Ireland: All about the future for one of the Kings of Lyon
The former defender has taken over as Northern Ireland U19 boss, with Tommy Wright in charge of the U21s
"To be honest with you, they don't care!"
Gareth McAuley jokes that the players he'll be working with as the new manager of Northern Ireland Under-19s aren't interested in the biggest moment of his international career.
The former defender, who won 80 caps for his country says he's keen to get the next crop of rising stars thinking about the process of making it in football, rather than the end product.
To that end, he won't be regaling them of tales of his famous headed goal that helped Northern Ireland to that 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon during Euro 2016.
"The boys ask questions, they're sponges, they soak up things and they want to learn," he adds.
"It's about giving them the right messages, giving them the tools to go and do that. Ultimately, you can do everything for them, you can given them everything they want, but it's up to them to do it, it's up to them to grasp it, it's up to them to learn.
"Coaches can mentor and can give them the opportunities, but ultimately, it's up to them to go and do it."
Having taken over from previous Under-19 Manager Gerard Lyttle, McAuley will be in charge of his first match in the role on September 7th against Italy in Tuscany.
From there, Northern Ireland will stage an Under-19 mini-tournament in November, involving Portugal, Poland and Hungary.
That leads into next Summer's Under-19 European Championships, which be held here and which McAuley is tasked with preparing his side to perform as host nation.
"The boys will get a great feel of the level we need to get to, for the kind of top level opposition we're going to face in the finals," says the 43-year-old on that mini-tournament before the end of this year.
"By the time we get round to July next year, we'll be strong."
McAuley will work in tandem with new Under-21 Manager Tommy Wright, IFA Technical Director Aaron Hughes and Senior boss Michael O'Neill to ensure the next generation of international footballers are ready to make the step up.
Wright, who worked under O'Neill as goalkeeping coach a decade ago, before a hugely successful period as Manager of Scottish side St Johnstone, says the visibility of O'Neill blooding those younger payers as senior level is key for him at Under-21 level.
"If I was to name the squad of everybody who was available there are probably about 6 or 7 with numerous caps at senior level, which is brilliant," admits the former goalkeeper.
"Michael has made a determined effort to promote the younger players. If a 'sell' was needed for any young player, it should be easy for them, because the pathway is there. They're get their opportunity maybe quicker than they would with other countries.
"That's only a plus for me and something I'll be emphasising to the players."
Northern Ireland’s U21s have been drawn in Group F for the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifying series along with top seeds England, Ukraine, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
They face Luxembourg at home in the opening match of their qualification campaign at Lurgan’s Mourneview Park on Thursday September 7th (2pm).
Game two will see them come up against second seeds Ukraine away on Tuesday September 12th. That game will be played in Slovakia.