Northern Ireland: Friendlies ‘a chance to further develop’ – O’Neill

Despite the inclusion of uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill making headlines, O’Neill added that he is “not putting any expectation” on either player.

Graham has been included after scoring 22 goals in 31 appearances for Everton’s under-21 side, while O’Neill impressed in Arsenal’s academy.

However, neither have made a senior appearance at their clubs despite featuring on the bench.

“We’re not putting any expectation on these lads that are here,” O’Neill continued.

“They’ve been in our underage system. They’re still yet to play first team football with their respective clubs, but they’re obviously both at big clubs.

“The next phase for them, the next two or three years is very important. That 18 to 21 period in their career will determine a lot of whether they come through at their respective clubs or whether they go through the loan period.

“A lot of variables in there, but we’re here to let them know that they’re very much in our plans.”

NI face Guinea in Spain on 4 June before travelling to take on France four days later in their final match before the World Cup.

Guinea are ranked 10 places below Northern Ireland in the Fifa rankings with the sides set to meet for the first time in their history.

O’Neill added that they have “done the same level of work that we would try to do in a competitive game” despite footage being hard to access.

“The footage is not as readily accessible, but we know that they’re a team that most of their players are obviously connected to European clubs and they play at different levels throughout Europe,” he added.

“We know that a lot of their players will have come through the French system as well.

“So, we know it will be a tough game against an athletic team [with] a relatively new coach as well, a Portuguese coach, so we know that it will be a tough test.”