Euro 2028: 'We have to get our heads around' Northern Ireland at Casement - O'Neill
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Watch: NI football manager Michael O'Neill calls for acceptance of Casement Park project
Michael O'Neill says the prospect of Northern Ireland playing at Casement Park at Euro 2028 would be something "we have to get our heads around".
Casement Park, historically the home of gaelic games in Belfast, is one of 10 stadiums put forward in the UK and Ireland's unopposed bid.
There has been controversy surrounding the redevelopment of Casement Park.
"I'm not that bothered about where we play as long as we play in Northern Ireland," said NI manager O'Neill.
Along with Everton's new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, which is currently under construction, Casement Park has been included in the bid despite not being completed.
It has fallen in ruin since Antrim last played there in 2013 and plans for redevelopment have been pushed back on numerous occasions due to legal challenges and questions over funding.
Casement Park is also situated in an area of west Belfast which has a predominantly nationalist population, where many would support the Republic of Ireland football team.
Windsor Park, where Northern Ireland play their international matches, has a capacity of 18,500, which falls well below Uefa's criteria of 30,000 for a European Championship and a redeveloped Casement Park has instead been nominated.
"We have to get our heads round that, to be honest," O'Neill said about the prospect of Northern Ireland playing Euro 2028 matches at Casement Park.
"Obviously the Casement project is the one that will meet the criteria for Uefa and at this moment in time it is the number one option available to us.
"I think once we get it to the point and it gets to 2028 then hopefully everyone can be accepting of that.
"I understand the nature of that and how it is for people, and how people will feel about that.
"We have got to look at the fact that it is a sporting event and we are getting the chance as a nation to play on home soil.
"It's very difficult to bring major sporting events to any country, let alone a country of our size. I think we should try and look past that and look at the upside, which is the sporting side of things."
'It would be truly memorable'
Michael O'Neill says memories form Euro 2016 will stay with him forever
O'Neill, who is in his second spell as manager, has a contract that runs through to 2028 and says the potential of Northern Ireland hosting a major tournament is "very exciting" and it would be a "huge honour" to lead his team out in Belfast.
The UK and Ireland is now the sole remaining bid for the Euro 2028 finals after Turkey withdrew from the running. The successful bid will be formally announced on Tuesday.
"To be part of a tournament for Northern Ireland is an amazing experience. We can't do it on our own so to be part of this bid is great," O'Neill added.
"The UK and Ireland can host an amazing tournament. We have got fantastic stadiums, we have great infrastructure and we have a huge fan base if you look across all the countries.
"We can put on a tournament which I think people can remember for a long, long time.
"The tournament in France was fantastic. Obviously Euro 2020 was difficult because of the Covid situation and it having to be put back and the various locations.
"I think 2024 in Germany will be a brilliant tournament as well.
"It's an exciting time for everyone and great for Northern Ireland to be involved.
"France will live with me forever in what it meant, not just here but to the people who travelled and the atmosphere in the stadiums was probably the best I have ever experienced, as a player or a coach.
"So to have the ability to be part of that on home soil would be truly memorable."