'We need to get something out of game' O'Neill hoping his NI side will get back to winning ways in Austria
Manager also says there's plenty of time to have a talk with Kyle Lafferty
Last updated 12th Oct 2018
Michael O’Neill is hoping for a good night in Vienna as he prepares his Northern Ireland side for their Nations League clash with Austria.
After defeat in their last game with Bosnia, O’Neill said they needed to bounce back quickly.
“It’s a game we should definitely not have lost,” he said.
“When we looked back on it in recent days there were a lot of positives in the performance but ultimately it has put us on the back foot a little bit in the group so obviously we have to take try and take something out of the game and the game on Monday night.”
The build-up to the game has been dominated by the late withdrawal of Kyle Lafferty because of a cited Achilles injury.
O’Neill said he would be discussing the matter with the striker in the future.
“It is certainly not my attention to have a chat before the game,” he said.
“My focus has been since the conversation has been for preparing the team
“We will not play another international until November so there is plenty of time to have that discussion.”
O’Neill also said he planned to use winger Gavin Whyte and said he was surprised by his Oxfor United manager Karl Robinson saying he was unhappy about his call-up.
“If you sign an international player and then you object to him going to playing in international football,” he said.
“Now Gavin Whyte was a senior international with us in the summer – I believe Karl is claiming he made him into an international player in the five games he has played this season.
“I am very surprised at that.”
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.45.
Northern Ireland are then away to Bosnia on Monday night.