O´Neill excited about derby atmosphere

Martin O’Neill has spoken of his excitement leading into his first Tyne-Wear derby as manager of Sunderland.

The 60-year-old, who is a boyhood Sunderland fan, now feels he fully understands the passion that will surround the Sports Direct Arena this Sunday.

In his previous role as Celtic boss O’Neill experienced the Old Firm derby, but he admits he has only recently come to appreciate the scale of the North East equivalent.

“Because you are a Sunderland fan from a distance, I didn’t grow up with all the hype and the furore around about the place,” the Northern Irishman said.

“Obviously, if I had lived here, I would have understood it more. I was reasonably young, like 11-plus time, and I can’t really remember.”

“But then I probably didn’t really regard Newcastle as being the massive foe that they were.”

“It’s a really passionate area. It’s a cliched old word, but it really is.”

“It used to be the hotbed of football. When you think of the great players that have emerged from this part of the country, it’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic.”

“Some of the best players who have ever played the game have come from here, really great players.”

“You do feel it – and today, I was dreading speaking to you about it because then I feel it even more.”

For young winger James McClean it will also be his first derby. The 22-year-old is in great form at the moment, having made his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland in midweek.

“I am expecting that. I know the rivalry up there now having been there six months, and it’s really intense,” McLean said.

“But I am looking forward to it. I can’t wait. It’s another experience in my career.”

“They are really passionate about the derby up in the north-east and we will go there and hopefully bounce back from a disappointing defeat (at West Brom).”