Michael O’Neill does not believe opposition sides are targeting Liverpool star Conor Bradley even though he has been fouled much more than any other Northern Ireland player in recent internationals.
The 21-year-old Anfield ace has excelled for his country in 2024, scoring three times and creating numerous chances.
He has also won numerous free-kicks for the team but, rather than feel Bradley is being singled out, O’Neill puts the fouls down to the advanced position the Tyrone native operates in for Northern Ireland and due to how he plays the game at full speed.
“I don’t think players are targeted now. The way the game is refereed, it’s not possible to do that. I just think it’s the nature in how Conor plays probably and we have played him a bit higher up,” said the Northern Ireland boss.
“He’s not fouled as much when he plays for Liverpool but he plays in a deeper role and Liverpool play in a different style to what we are able to play.
“Conor plays the game at full speed in and out of possession. I think he knows himself and we have talked about it, he needs to probably manage himself through the game a little bit.
“That comes with experience because when you are young and come into the team, you just want to impress all the time. You do it because you think ‘I’ll play at full speed, I’ll do 12.5k, I’ll do so much high speed running’ so there is an education point in that for himself as well and he knows that. We have talked about that.
“A player who drives with the ball is going to attract more contact and physical contact than others but I don’t think he is being singled out in any way.”
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With influential performers such as Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Stuart Dallas no longer playing for Northern Ireland, Bradley has become the nation’s most high-profile player and will be a key figure in the upcoming Nations League fixtures versus Belarus and Bulgaria.
O’Neill’s side enter those games in Hungary on Saturday and at Windsor Park next Tuesday with three points from their opening two matches in Group C.
Rangers winger Ross McCausland (21) is likely to play a part in both matches. He came off the bench in last month’s 2-0 victory at home to Luxembourg and 1-0 defeat in Bulgaria.
“I think Ross is a player who impacts the game and has the capability to score as well,” says O’Neill.
“His minutes have predominantly come off the bench for Rangers this season. I’m sure he would wish he was starting more games but there is competition for places there.
“I think Ross has a lot to offer. He is still a young player and has had opportunities for us and when he came on against Luxembourg, he was unlucky not to score and he had a good impact in Bulgaria as well.
“On a difficult pitch, he showed real good moments on the ball. It’s just continued development for Ross at his club and when he comes away with us.”