Michael O’Neill: My job is to get the team ready for Euro 2028, not the stadium, but Casement Park is only show in town

Some Northern Ireland fans show their opposition to the Casement Park plans

Casement Park remains the only place in town which can host 2028 European Championship games

Michael O'Neill does not want conflict when Casement Park is rebuilt to host European Championship games

Michael O’Neill has insisted that everyone connected with Northern Ireland should embrace the prospect of the country hosting the Euro 2028 finals at Casement Park rather than making it into a ‘conflict’.

When the issue was raised at his press conference ahead of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Finland, O’Neill, who has been asked about the subject continually over the last few months, declared “I manage the team not the stadium’ but as the media briefing progressed he underlined why he felt it was so important to stage the tournament in Northern Ireland.

And right now despite the protests of many Northern Ireland supporters the only place in town for that to happen is at the as yet built GAA stadium Casement Park.

It is a soap opera story that is set to run and run the latest episode saw Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson replying to a letter from Gary McAllister, chair of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs (AONISC), in which the question was put about a “Plan B” if Casement Park wasn’t ready in time for the Euro 2028 games and if an extension to Windsor Park could be made to satisfy UEFA requirements.

Windsor Park currently has an all-seater capacity of 18,500 and needs a minimum of 30,000 for the tournament finals.

Casement Park remains the only place in town which can host 2028 European Championship games

The new Casement Park, when built, will have a 34,500 capacity for the Euros. Nelson ruled out any prospect of