Michael O’Neill has vowed to bring some ‘belief’ back to the Northern Ireland players as he looks to guide them to the 2014 World Cup (16/1 To Qualify) following his appointment as Nigel Worthington’s successor.

The 42-year-old former Shamrock Rovers boss, who won 42 caps for his country as a player, was confirmed as the country’s new coach and he will officially start work on February 1.

O’Neill, who saw off the likes of Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie in the race for the Northern Ireland post, has impressed in management after Shamrock became the first League of Ireland side to qualify for the group stages of a major European competition – this season’s Europa League.

The former Brechin City boss’ main task will be to guide Northern Ireland to a first major finals since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. However, O’Neill is confident in his abilities to be a success.

He said, “I am honoured to be chosen to manage my country. I am a proud Northern Irishman who was fortunate enough to win 33 senior caps and it was always an ambition to manage my country.

“To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling but I am confident that we can make progress.”

O’Neill concedes that there is “a huge amount of work to be done”, but feels “good progress” can be made with the current crop of players.