Michael O'Neill urges Northern Ireland fans to get behind Casement Park plans

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has urged fans to get behind plans to play Euro 2028 fixtures at a redeveloped Casement Park after several chants opposing the project were heard throughout Saturday's win over San Marino.

A section of fans in the Kop Stand at Windsor Park could be heard chanting "You can shove your Casement Park up your h***", while there were also "No Casement" banners.

Casement Park is due to host five games when Euro 2018 comes to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Northern Ireland could be playing in three of those if they qualify for the tournament.

But the stadium currently lies derelict, with the project to redevelop it as the 34,500-capacity home of the Antrim GAA plagued by delays and questions over funding.

Even if those are solved, many Northern Ireland fans have said they do not want to attend games at a venue which is named after an Irish revolutionary and located in predominantly nationalist west Belfast.

The counter-argument is that, given the 18,500-capacity Windsor Park falls well short of UEFA requirements for a major tournament, the Casement Park project was the only realistic option available for the Irish FA to be part of the Euros bid.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion on it," O'Neill said ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Slovenia.

"This is what the association have done in terms of the bid. There's a lot of opinion on that, we have to take that into account. Supporters, of course, are equally as important as anyone in this situation, but I can't change it.

"I would like to see it supported. I think it's really important we get the opportunity to play and be a host nation, but equally I respect the opinions of everyone and what their view may be on it."

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