Michael O'Neill hits back at Blackburn relegation rivals over concerns around Northern Ireland friendly
Blackburn Rovers boss Michael O’Neill has hit back at clubs who raised concerns with the EFL over his dual managerial role.
O’Neill took over at Blackburn earlier this season on an interim basis until the end of the season.
The job is alongside his other role as Northern Ireland boss - and there has been growing noise around what some have seen as a potential ‘conflict of interest’.
It stems from Northern Ireland having players in their side during the international break, who play for teams battling against Blackburn in the fight for Championship survival.
Oxford United have four players in the squad, with Portsmouth having Terry Devlin and Albion having Isaac Price.
Ahead of the game the EFL confirmed they had been contacted by ‘one or more clubs’ over the issue, but said it was not an issue for them to deal with.
It stemmed around how much the players were going to be used during the break - and more importantly in their friendly with Wales on Tuesday in Cardiff.
On Tuesday, BBC Oxford said that Oxford were one of the clubs who had raised concerns with the EFL, with four of their players in the squad.
Two players played 64 minutes, with another coming off the bench at that time, while another did not feature.
Albion’s Price came off at the break - but there is no indication that the Baggies were one of the club’s to raise concerns.
After the game O’Neill hit back at the clubs involved, and said: “I was a little bit disappointed with that because I didn't get a phone call from any of the managers,"
"I didn't get a phone call from anyone from their respective clubs.
"They felt whatever they decided to do, or what avenue they took to raise their concerns, it's disappointing given that I've managed over 100 international games, and I've always put the players first."
O’Neill also insisted that at all times he tries to protect his players.
The former Stoke City boss added: “These clubs, they ask for references on players, they ask for character references, level of performance from us and our staff when they want to sign these players.
"They were international players when they signed them. Now suddenly it becomes a bit of an issue that they're international players."
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