O’Neill admired the efficiency of his younger facet, who’ve made an outstanding begin to qualifying.
A win in Luxembourg was adopted by an hour of matching European heavyweights Germany, who ultimately prevailed to win 3-1.
Friday’s win was very good from first minute to final. A Patrik Hrosovsky personal purpose broke the impasse earlier than Hume’s very good effort with just below 10 minutes left made certain – however was it the most effective beneath O’Neill?
“I do not actually take a look at video games like that as a result of groups evolve,” O’Neill stated when requested if it was probably the most full efficiency since his return in 2023 for a second spell in cost.
The Germany fixture might be his one hundredth recreation as Northern Eire boss.
“The group after I got here again in may be very totally different to the group now,” O’Neill stated. “They’ve given different good performances, like at dwelling right here to Bulgaria [a 5-0 win in October 2024] after we have been wonderful.
“I feel tonight was a group of a better calibre as properly, so you may say it is among the finest performances we have had, however I nonetheless assume there’s extra within the tank, and I feel the gamers consider that as properly.”
O’Neill was additionally filled with reward for Hume, who has moved up the leagues with Sunderland and is now a Premier League common.
The defender’s purpose had come after the in-form David Strelec poked an effort broad for Slovakia. Up to now, when there felt like an inevitability that the opposition would hit again, Hume’s effort modified that narrative.
“We deserved to be multiple purpose forward with how the sport had gone, however we would have liked that second purpose,” stated O’Neill.
“Slovakia are a very good group and are very skilled at worldwide stage, and it solely takes a second.
“They did have that likelihood they usually missed it. As a younger group you may lose confidence and momentum in that state of affairs, however when the second purpose went in – and it was an incredible end – it was nice for him as he is such an vital participant for us.”
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