O’Neill Robertson-Tierney Conundrum

On Friday, 16 June, Michael O’Neill will face a similar conundrum to Scotland manager Steve Clarke’s, of how best to utilise two outstanding left-backs. While Clarke has experimented with Kierney Tierney at right-back in a back four, he has often adapted a 3-5-2 formation and played the former Celtic man as a left-sided centre-back, with Andy Robertson at left wing-back. Northern Ireland manager O’Neill could soon have a similar situation with Liverpool’s Conor Bradley and Trai Hume of Sunderland. Chris Brunt, former Northern Ireland international, believes both players offer enough versatility to merit places in the starting XI. Bradley has shown huge potential since making his Liverpool and Northern Ireland debuts in 2021, playing mostly as a right wing-back for his country. He has excelled on loan at League One Bolton Wanderers this season, contributing eight goals and seven assists in a side that won the EFL Trophy and reached the play-offs. Hume, meanwhile, is a later developer but has made light of his jump in levels when signing for Sunderland from Linfield in January 2022. Brunt believes Bradley can play as an attacker and Hume has “grabbed his opportunity with both hands”. He stressed the importance to any youngster of being happy to play out of position if called upon. Coverage of the match will be live on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds, with live text commentary, report and reaction on BBC Sport website & app.