Wigan manager Gary Caldwell hopes that Northern Ireland’s exploits over the past couple of days can help his own side to push on in the coming months of the season.
Norn Iron ended a 29-year-wait to reach a major finals with qualification for France next summer after Thursday’s 3-1 win against Greece.
Wigan striker Will Grigg was part of the squad that booked their Euro 2016 place and will be in jubilant mood going forward.
The 24-year-old has three goals in nine games this season for Latics and has been instrumental in most of their attacking play throughout.
The Latics manager knows his absence will be felt against Bury on Saturday but hopes that his success with Northern Ireland can galvanise the player on his return to the DW next week.
“It’s fantastic, an amazing achievement for Northern Ireland, O’Neill and everyone connected to qualify for the tournament with a game to spare,” he said.
“He will be on a high and hopefully he can bring that positivity to his form and his performances here.
“He was the main striker I wanted in the summer, not to have him is a blow,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Manchester.
“But we coped before at Chesterfield, we scored three goals that day and we’ve got a squad that’s more than capable of coping in his absence.”
Northern Ireland fans had endured 14 unsuccessful qualifying campaigns since their last major competition in 1986.
Norman Whiteside was the star player for them back then at Mexico ’86 and the modern crop will be looking to do themselves and their predecessors proud next summer.
Image courtesy of Official Irish FA via YouTube, with thanks.
