Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is hoping the whole of Northern Ireland will unite behind Neil Lennon in next Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic at Windsor Park. Yesterday Lennon announced his decision to play on for his country after being jeered by a section of the crowd at a friendly recently at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland's slim hopes of making it to the World Cup finals have been boosted by Lennon's decision. And while his club boss was playing down his own contribution in the player's final decision, he hopes that every Northern Ireland fan - including those who targeted him - will respond positively to his courage to carry on.
“My own contribution was not that major,” said O'Neill in an interview with PA. “My own thoughts were that he should have given it another go. That was my own feeling, but I wasn't there for that game and I didn't get the whole feel of it.”
“But their next game being a World Cup qualifying match I thought he should go and see what happens and I'd hope that the crowd would get behind the whole team.” (PA)
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
