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Gareth McAuley hailed the influence of manager Michael O’Neill after Northern Ireland secured their first taste of tournament football in 30 years on Thursday night.
McAuley, 35, is one of the only players old enough to have even a fleeting recollection of the 1986 World Cup — Northern Ireland’s last appearance on the big stage.
A 3-1 win over Greece on Thursday ensured that long drought will come to an end in France next summer, with McAuley leading the celebrations draped in a red, white and blue tricolour flag at the final whistle.
The West Brom defender has done as much as anyone to usher the side over the line, playing all nine matches and contributing three goals as well as some towering displays at the back.
But he was eager to give O’Neill his due.
The former Shamrock Rovers boss inherited a side going nowhere fast in 2012 and a fifth-placed finish in qualification for the 2014 World Cup was an inauspicious start to his tenure.
But senior players, including McAuley, were convinced he was the man for the job and the rewards have followed in emphatic fashion.
“In the past we’ve had one-off games when we’ve got results but to qualify for this tournament, and [have] done it in a bit of style, that’s a massive credit to Michael,” he said.
“When we go out there we’ve got a plan, and we believe in that plan and we carry it out. It’s working so far and long may it continue.
“He went through a rough time in the World Cup qualification but we’ve scored goals in this campaign that were lacking in the last campaign it’s all come together. We’ve had a little bit of luck but you deserve that after all the years of grafting.”
