NI waiting for Fifa clearance to select Hale

Ronan Hale has started well at Ross County, scoring four times

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."

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."

Lee Bonis has left back-to-back Irish Premiership champions Larne for the Netherlands

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."

'He manages the biggest club in the league'

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."