Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says there will be “opportunities there” for Ronan Hale in future international windows.

The former Cliftonville striker, who moved to Scottish Premiership side Ross County during the summer, represented the Republic of Ireland at underage level but has started the process of switching his international allegiance.

Clearance has not come in time for the Nations League double-header against Luxembourg and Bulgaria next week, but O’Neill has been impressed with the 25-year-old’s form with the Staggies.

“I think international football helps any player. If you get the opportunity to play it, you should take it,” said O’Neill.

“We’ve had conversations with other players who are eligible but have chosen not to at this particular time. Ronan was very willing to do it.

“He’s at an age, 25, at Ross County where he need to hit the ground running which I think he has done.”

Hale’s Switch Underway

O’Neill has included only four strikers in his first Nations League squad with Exeter City’s Josh Magennis, 34, the only player in the panel with more than six international goals to their name.

“It’s a position where if you look at Josh and Conor Washington, they’re on the wrong side of 30 as well,” O’Neill added. 

“There’s opportunities there for people, especially in the attacking positions, to come into the squad and do well.”

Bonis’ Move to Holland

O’Neill also commended another former Irish Premiership striker, Lee Bonis, on his own summer move.

The 25-year-old transferred from Larne to Ado Den Haag in the Netherlands second tier this month.

Called into a Northern Ireland squad last year but still uncapped, Bonis’ transfer was described as “brave” by O’Neill.

“It’s a higher level of football,” he said. “He wants to better himself. It’s a brave move to go abroad.

“There was always clubs interested in Lee and I’ve been asked many times about him by clubs in League One or League Two in England.

“He’s taken a different path which I think is good and I think is the right path for him to take. He’s come in a little bit late. He’s a little bit older, he’s come through the Irish League route.

“Hopefully he can make a big impact there.”

Healy Stays Put

One of O’Neill’s former strikers, Northern Ireland men’s record goalscorer David Healy, is staying put, however.

Linfield’s manager since 2015 was subject to an approach from Raith Rovers last week but opted to remain at Windsor Park, signing a one-year extension to his deal.

O’Neill was not surprised by the interest in the former Rangers and Leeds United player and expects more clubs to come calling in the future.

“The first thing is to say is David has had one management job and he has done a fantastic job in that period.

“He manages the biggest club in the league here in terms of history and brand and everything that goes around that. It is a big challenge and the demands on the Linfield manager are more than at any other club.

“He has made the decision for his own reasons and I’m sure it won’t be the last time this opportunity comes along.”

A Big Opportunity For Hale

Hale has made a flying start to his career at Ross County, scoring four times in his first few games for the Scottish Premiership side. This impressive start has caught the eye of O’Neill, who believes Hale has the potential to be a valuable asset to the Northern Ireland team. With the Northern Ireland squad lacking in experienced strikers, Hale’s arrival could be a welcome boost to the team. His ability to score goals and his experience playing in a competitive league make him an attractive option for O’Neill, who is eager to add new talent to his squad.

Hale’s switch to Northern Ireland represents a big opportunity for the player. It could be a chance for him to establish himself as a regular starter for the national team and to gain valuable experience playing at an international level. It also shows his ambition and desire to challenge himself at the highest level.

It remains to be seen when Hale will make his debut for Northern Ireland, but one thing is clear: he is a player with a bright future, and his arrival could be a significant development for the Northern Ireland team. O'Neill's willingness to embrace new talent could be a sign of a changing tide in the Northern Ireland team, and Hale's potential integration into the squad is a testament to that.

The upcoming months will be crucial for both Hale and Northern Ireland as they prepare for the upcoming qualifying campaign for Euro 2024. With Hale's potential to make a significant impact, the Northern Ireland team will be hoping to make a strong start to their campaign.