Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland both suffered defeat in the first games of their UEFA Nations League campaigns but that’s where the similarities end. As far as I can see these are two teams heading in different directions. Northern Ireland were unlucky to taste defeat against Bosnia last Saturday having created enough chances to comfortably win the game. The Republic, on the other hand, were totally outclassed by a young Wales team, suffering their second heavy competitive defeat in a row following the 5-1 humiliation against Denmark last November. Here I take a more in-depth look at why Northern Ireland are on the up whilst the Republic are facing problems on and off the pitch.

The Managers

Namesakes Michael and Martin O’Neill are similar in many ways. Both managers guided their respective teams to the last 16 of Euro 2016, both missed out on qualification for this summer’s World Cup at the last hurdle and both looked to be leaving their roles after the previous campaign. Today, however, their respective current situations could not be further apart.

Michael O’Neill really is getting the best out of his NI squad – his tactics have changed over the last 12 months, encouraging a more progressive and passion-based style of football. Bosnia aren’t world beaters by any stretch of the imagination but NI players will take confidence from their domination of possession and the number of clear cut chances. This was followed up by an impressive performance and win against Israel on Tuesday night.

Contrast this to Martin O’Neill’s predicament with the Republic – he must be glad this round of international fixtures has come to an end. Before the squad met he was dealt a blow by Declan Rice’s decision to put his international career on hold to allow more time to consider where his international allegiances lie. A heavy defeat in Wales followed, as did a number of fallings out within the squad – all seemingly involving his assistant manager Roy Keane who’d pick a fight with his own shadow if he thought he could get a reaction.

Many have called into question Martin’s relevance in today’s game, whether he’s lost touch with the modern game with his continuous references to Brian Clough and things that happened 40-plus years ago. Tactics, team selection and even his policy of naming the team just 90 minutes before kick-off have been criticised heavily following the Wales game – Ireland looked lost throughout, struggling to match their opponent’s energy and youthfulness. He did get a positive reaction from his players on Tuesday night with a far superior performance against Poland, coming so close to victory until conceding a late goal. However, of the 11 players who started against Poland how many can we really expect to play in next month’s UEFA Nations fixtures?

Players

In their opening Nations League game Northern Ireland played very well before conceding two sloppy goals and were unlucky to have a certain first half penalty claim waived away. Their play was exciting, they blended youth with experience throughout the team. The sight of Jamal Lewis, George Saville and Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the starting line-up will give Northern Ireland fans huge enthusiasm for the future. These players are hungry and know competition for places is high – Michael O’Neill must be delighted with the striking options available to him and the form of Kyle Laffterty, Josh Magennis, Will Grigg, Liam Boyce and Conor Washington.

As to the Republic’s woes, Martin O’Neill can point to missing nine players through injury or other reasons. The average age of the squad that faced Wales game was 27.7 yet over half the starting team was inexperienced at that level. No wonder questions have been asked about the future of this Irish team and the development of young players – Jeff Hendrick was the only midfielder or attacker in the squad who plays club football in the Premier League.

Home-grown talent is an area where both Northern Ireland and Republic have struggled with over the last decade, both have relied on recruits born overseas or late developers who’ve moved from the League of Ireland or Irish League to English Championship and League One clubs.

Conflict

While everything seems rosy in the NI camp, the same cannot be said of Martin O’Neill’s dressing room. We’ve had two full weeks of stories about player absences, internal strife and, of course, Roy Keane controversy. Not since Stephen Ireland’s two grannies saga have we seen such extraordinary headlines.

Whatever has happened over the past week or since the last international get-together in May between Keane and players Harry Arter, Jon Walters or anyone else for that matter, obviously all is not well; and contrary to what O’Neill says the performance against Wales must have been impacted by what’s been rumbling in the background. He’s right in saying that altercations are part of the game, but surely not to this extent and to the number they’ve been happening in the Republic squad.

Last year season on Northern Slant I selected an all-Ireland 11. At that time, I only thought four Northern Ireland players would make it into the team. I think those numbers could be reversed now. The teams play each other in November. Will Northern Ireland claim victory for the first time since 1979?