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The legendary winger, who earned 71 caps for his
country, says there is enough quality in the current
squad to add another World Cup finals appearance
to Northern Ireland’s first ever European
Championships qualification last summer.
He said: “I always felt there was talent and ability
there but we were just not getting the rub of the
green.
“When I was in the Northern Ireland team it was
always an uphill struggle to qualify. We started
the Euro 2016 campaign really well - I don’t ever
remember a Northern Ireland team getting off to
such a good start in a qualifying campaign - and
immediately you could see there was a different
vibe about the whole thing.
“I think all the players handled the pressure really
well. Michael O’Neill has found a balance between
having good players and getting them organised.
“Michael has moulded a team with goals in them
who do not concede many. We are a good side and
there is definitely enough there to qualify for Russia
(World Cup 2018).”
Reflecting on his own time in the international
set-up - Hughes played for his country from 1991
until 2004 - he said those days had provided “great
memories”.
He explained: “Times have changed. It was a
different era, but it was a good set-up. We had
some great characters, the likes of Billy Bingham
(manager), Mal Donaghy and Alan McDonald.
“The senior players were great and it was always
good craic. It was different from being in England,
where most of us played our club football. The
banter was always good and we were basically a
bunch of mates getting together. And we all wanted
to play for our country.
“I always really enjoyed playing for my country. In
terms of managers, I enjoyed working with Billy
Bingham the most. He gave me my debut and I will
always be grateful to him for that.
“He also left you to your own devices on the pitch.
He wanted me to go out and express myself. I
wanted to play well for him. He was a nice, genuine
man.”
Michael Hughes is adamant Northern Ireland are more than capable of
securing a place at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
The backroom team that looks after Michael
O’Neill’s squad features a team doctor and a couple
of physios as well as sports scientists and other
specialists. It was very different when Hughes
was turning out for his country. “We had a kit man
(Derek McKinley) and a physio (Terry Hayes) and
that was about it,” he revealed.
However, he believes the strong backroom team
has been integral to the success being enjoyed by
the current crop of internationals.
He admits he would love to be involved in the
set-up right now – mainly because he would get
the opportunity to play at the National Football
Stadium at Windsor Park.
“I think the redeveloped stadium is amazing. I really
wish I could have played there for Northern Ireland,”
he said.
Words:
Nigel Tilson
HUGHES BELIEVES WORLD CUP FINALS
IS REALISTIC TARGET
Michael Hughes in action for a Northern Ireland
Select against a QPR Select in an Alan McDonald
memorial game at Seaview in September 2012.
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