NI manager O'Neill hails 'fantastic' Evans

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has described retiring captain Jonny Evans as a "top class player and top class individual" but understands the 36-year-old felt he needed to focus on his Manchester United career.

The defender won 107 caps for his country, including playing all four of the side's games at Euro 2016, but announced on Thursday that he would retire from international football.

"He’s a top player, top individual to have in any squad, any team," said O'Neill.

"The fact that Manchester United still value him as they do is a testament to that as well."

Evans, who signed a one-year extension at Old Trafford during the summer, had previously hinted he would have retired from all football had a new deal not materialised at his boyhood club.

"It’s disappointing but it’s not something we haven’t discussed," said O'Neill.

"We’ve discussed it over the last six months every time we’ve caught up. He never really wanted to make that decision but I think he realised to give himself a chance of making a real impact at Manchester United, it meant that the international breaks would probably help physically.

"He has a lot of commitments, three young kids as well. International football, when you’ve been doing it for 18 years, it’s a big commitment. But in terms of what he’s brought, what he’s given us over the years, he has been fantastic, a top class player and top class individual as well."

O'Neill admitted that he did try to change his skipper's mind but that ultimately the decision rested with the player.

"I always try to keep the players playing as long as possible," he said.

"You look at Aaron (Hughes) and Gareth McAuley, guys who played late into their 30s, you always try and make those players feel valued. That’s no different to Jonny.

"You also have to play without these players."

Evans' younger brother Corry is absent at present from the Northern Ireland panel as he continues to search for a new club, while Stuart Dallas, Craig Cathcart and previous captain Steven Davis have all retired in the past year.

"You’re talking around 500 caps there," O'Neill added.

"We have to develop, continue to develop as a squad and the players who have been around for a while have to step up, and the younger ones have to realise that going forward they’re going to be the backbone of this team."

Northern Ireland start their Uefa Nations League campaign against Luxembourg in Belfast on Thursday 5 September, with Bulgaria and Belarus also in the pool.

O'Neill, who had Daniel Ballard as his captain against Andorra last time out, added it was "not a matter of urgency" to name a permanent skipper.

"We have six games in the Nations League and all of it is preparation for the World Cup (qualifying) starting in March 2025 when we know what the group will be," he said.

"Having a captain is not essential at this minute in time. There’s enough in that young group to give players opportunity to do it. Until we feel it’s the right time, it’s not a matter of urgency."