Kenny's background 'not that important' to O'Neill

While Stephen Kenny was named Republic of Ireland manager the same month - April 2020 - that Michael O'Neill ended his first stint as Northern Ireland boss, the pair had previously cross paths in the League of Ireland.

O'Neill, however, said he did not speak to Stephen Kenny before the call-up, but took on board the recommendation of Northern Ireland under-21 manager Tommy Wright.

"It wasn't me that brought him in, it was Tommy Wright that brought him in initially and so he's been around it," said O'Neill of Kenny's initial return to the Northern Ireland set-up last year.

"I knew of him obviously through Stephen, and that he played in the League of Ireland, but it was only when the eligibility thing came to the forefront and Tommy Wright…