Nice to have Hale available after switch - O'Neill

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says it is "nice" to have Ronan Hale available after the forward's international transfer from the Republic of Ireland.

Belfast-born Hale, who represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level, received clearance to play for Northern Ireland in January.

The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Scottish side Ross County since his summer switch from Cliftonville in the Irish Premiership.

Northern Ireland host Switzerland on 21 March and face Sweden in Stockholm four days later in friendlies, which will be used as preparation for the start of World Cup qualifying in September.

"He has gone through the international transfer, which has been well documented, so it's good to get him in," said O'Neill on Hale.

"Ronan has gone back into full-time football, having been at Birmingham at a young age, come back and had an impact in the domestic league and he's had a very positive impact in a short space of time in the SPL with Ross County.

"Until you get a chance to work with a player you never get the chance to see their strengths and weaknesses in much more detail. It's nice to have him in."

The inclusion of Hale, along with young strikers Dale Taylor and Lee Bonis, meant O'Neill opted to leave experienced striker Josh Magennis out of the squad.

Magennis, who is playing for Exeter City in League One, has scored 12 goals in his 82 international caps.

"I've not brought Josh on this squad because to bring Josh away at this stage of the season and not to utilise him wouldn't be the right thing for him," O'Neill added.

"He can have a little bit of a break, but it also gives me the opportunity to have a look at the likes of Lee Bonis, Dale Taylor and Ronan Hale.

"It's important that there is a transition in all squads, but the players who are left out are still very much important players for us."

O'Neill added it was "a very important year for us" after a positive 2024, when Northern Ireland won their Nations League group in League C.

NI will face Slovakia, Luxembourg and the winner of Germany's Nations League play-off with Italy when 2026 World Cup qualifying begins in September.

"We come out of a good year where we made a lot of progress, particularly with a lot of the young lads and the potential that they have.

"These games in March and June give us the opportunity to look at the squad and prepare the squad in the best way possible for what the challenge will be in September.

"You have to move the squad on. It's important that we do that."