Reports linking Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill with the vacant managerial position at Aberdeen have left Josh Magennis a little torn.

On the one hand, the striker still has affection for his former club, having spent around three and a half years at Pittodrie in the early days of his career, and he is saddened by their current position in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership.

On the other, the 33-year-old is still very much involved at international level with his country, coming on as a second half substitute during Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday night.

Ultimately, that is where the Wigan forward’s priorities lie, so while Magennis isn’t surprised to see O’Neill being touted for the Aberdeen job, he is desperately hoping he decides not to break his heart for a second time, having previously left the national side to take over at Stoke City.

“I have seen him linked with Aberdeen,” Magennis said.

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“When you are doing well and are successful there is no doubt that a light shines on you.

“Listen, I don’t want to lose him for a second time. It broke my heart the first time.

“Michael is not daft, and he knows his way around. It is not just the lure of Aberdeen. Aberdeen is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland with a great history, [but] he will take everything into account and will look at everything from head to toe if that becomes an option. Only he will know if it is the right move.

“I don’t want him to go personally. I like him, and I hope he likes me because he picks me.

“It is not good to see Aberdeen in the position they are. Hopefully, they pick a manager that gets them back where they should be, at the top of Scottish football…as long as it is not Michael O’Neill!”

Magennis did have some words of comfort though for Scotland fans after helping Northern Ireland get over the line at Hampden, pulling off a shock win that was a real fillip for their developing side, and a body blow for the Scots ahead of the Euros.

The striker wasn’t fooled by that scoreline, or Scotland’s current seven-match run without a win, saying they have the more than enough about them to give a great account of themselves in Germany.

“I think they will get on very, very well,” he said.

“There is no denying they have vast amounts of quality.

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“It is a two-edged sword. When you win and qualify the expectation is there. We have experienced it with Northern Ireland. You are expected to win and when that doesn’t happen then sometimes the landscape can change.

“There is no doubting that Scotland are a massively talented team. I think they will go to the tournament and do extremely well. “Scotland are a hard team to break down and they are very compact. They have a wealth of experience of players who have played in big tournaments and won big trophies.

“I don’t think it will be anything but a solid tournament from Scotland. I don’t think they have ever qualified out of a group. There is no reason why Scotland can’t do that.

“Tournament football is like knockout football, where anything can happen. The games are tough, there is a quick turnaround and I think they will go to Germany and give a good account of themselves and Scottish football.”