NI boss wary of world champs

The Germans squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Roy Hodgson’s side in Berlin.

Northern Ireland will play Joachim Low’s World champions on June 21 in their final group game at this summer’s Euros.

“I watched the highlights of the game,” said O’Neill, who planned to travel to Munich to watch Germany’s friendly with Italy last night.

“I thought England were excellent. They played with high tempo and was a great comeback.

“Equally, I think we saw two sides to Germany. Some of the opportunities they gave England were down to their own making.

“Did I see any frailties? I think at times how they played it out from the back was high risk.

“They are maybe also lacking an out-and-out centre forward. I see (Mario) Gomez is back in after not scoring in so long. But I am not going to say too much, as they have plenty of decent options.

“I am not going to say ‘Toni Kroos gave the ball away once’ or anything like that.”

O’Neill joked that he may have to fabricate some imaginary flaws in Germany’s set-up ahead of their meeting on June 21.

“We have to find ways of getting at Germany. We can’t tell our players there are no flaws and we won’t beat them,” he said.

“If there are no frailties there, we will make them up.”

While O’Neill is quick to maintain a level of reality ahead of Northern Ireland’s seismic Euro 2016 challenge, he is also aware that his Group C rivals can be beaten.

“In qualification, the Republic of Ireland took four points off Germany. Scotland were narrowly beaten home and away, so I think there has been a combination there of a hangover from the World Cup, and some transition in their team,” he added.

“But we are under no illusions. It will be as difficult a game we could get. The game is so far down the road for us.”