Guinea v Northern Ireland: Isaac Dam ‘buzz’ after O’Neill opts to stay with NI

Northern Ireland midfielder Isaac Price says the squad is “buzzing” following the news of Michael O’Neill last week. Agree to an extension His contract to remain manager of the international team until 2032.

The NI boss rejected an overture from Championship side Blackburn Rovers to manage the club permanently after guiding the Lancashire side to safety while combining an interim role with Northern Ireland.

O’Neill will lead his side in the upcoming friendlies against Guinea on Monday 8 June and against France as the squad prepares for the start of the Nations League campaign in September.

Crediting Price O’Neill as a major influence on his career to date, the NI manager drafted the now 22-year-old into his senior squad for the first time when he was a teenager in 2023.

“He went to Blackburn and did a job for them there. We were a bit nervous that maybe he could take over the club role full-time but I think everyone is buzzing,” Price said after joining the squad for the upcoming friendly double-header.

“We all loved playing for him and for me in particular he was probably the main manager I’ve had since I started playing first team football.

“He believed in me, he threw me in when I wasn’t playing any real senior games at club level.

“He’s got a good group of players here. They’re all young and I think he’s probably excited to continue working with us.”