Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has expressed confidence that Arsenal youth player Ceadach O’Neill will establish himself as a regular in the national team. The 18-year-old midfielder was included in the latest squad selections following his initial appearances as a substitute in Northern Ireland’s summer friendlies, marking his first senior caps.

Ceadach O’Neill, born in Kilrea, Northern Ireland, has attracted attention from both the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football associations, with the latter reportedly still interested in securing his commitment at the international level. However, Michael O’Neill indicated his belief that the player’s future lies with Northern Ireland.

“I've named him in the squad, so the fact I've picked him I think tells you that,” the manager said. “Ceadach’s been in our pathway for a long time,” he added, emphasizing the ongoing development process that has integrated the young player into Northern Ireland’s footballing structure.

The inclusion of O’Neill in the senior squad highlights the efforts by the Northern Ireland Football Association to nurture homegrown talent and retain promising players amid competing interests. While the Republic of Ireland remains hopeful of enlisting the player, Michael O’Neill’s comments suggest that Northern Ireland intends to solidify O’Neill’s place within their national team setup.