Euro 2016: Michael O’Neill hails his Northern Ireland miracle men after they sneak into last-16 despite losing to Germany
Manager only found they had made it through by listening to the Czech Republic's 2-0 defeat against Turkey on a website
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MICHAEL O’NEILL hailed his miracle men after Northern Ireland made the last 16 of the Euros.
The boss only discovered their triumph via a website as they travelled following a nerve-racking 1-0 defeat to Germany.
But that, along with the Czech Republic’s 2-0 defeat to Turkey, sent the Northern Irish through.
O’Neill said: “It’s surreal. We were following the Turkey game on the BBC website. I’m not sure it’s really sunk in yet, but it’s a fantastic achievement.
“We knew the group would be difficult.
“What we saw was a team that refused to be beaten by a big margin and did everything possible to stay in the game.
“If we were going to lose then 1-0 was the best defeat we could have had.
“Over the three games we deserve to be in the last 16.
“What we went through tonight will prepare us for anything in the next round and our players will be ready.”
O’Neill’s heroes will now face Wales in Paris on Saturday, or France in Lyon on Sunday.
Asked who he would rather play, O’Neill added: “If I was picking a team I thought we had a better chance against I would say Wales.
“But we’ll see who comes out after the final group games.”
Gareth Bale believes Wales’ supershow against Russia matches anything he has ever achieved.
The £86million man has won the Champions League twice at Real Madrid but making the last 16 of the Euros is just as big to him.
The 26-year-old said: “It was an unbelievable occasion, up there with anything I have done.
“Given the pressure, that was one of the best team performances I have ever been part of.
“We have had some amazing nights over the last few years but that was really incredible.”
Wales play the Irish or Albania in the second round.
