Northern Ireland are preparing for the start of a new UEFA Nations League campaign
Michael O'Neill has backed his youngsters to deliver on the big stage as he prepares for life without another legendary player.
He said: "I’ve spoken many times about Jonny as a player and a person as well. He’s a top player, top individual to have in any squad, any team. The fact that Manchester United still value him as they do is a testament to that as well. It’s disappointing but it’s not something we haven’t discussed. O'Neill says he has always tried to convince players to continue their international careers, from Aaron Hughes to Gareth McAuley and now Evans.
"We have to develop, continue to develop as a squad and the players who have been around for a while have to step up, and the younger ones have to realise that going forward they’re going to be the backbone of this team." "The one thing you can't replace is experience. The only way you can do it is to keep putting the players on the pitch. We have a number of young players that are getting consistent game time when they come here to play international football, maybe more so than they're getting at their clubs on occasion as well," O'Neill said.
"I sometimes look around the edges of the squad and maybe there's players suffering a little bit because it's better to invest in a 20 or 21-year-old and give them game time at international level than a 29 or 30-year-old playing at a certain level.
Jonny Evans Michael O'neill Steven Davis
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