Former Shamrock Rovers boss O’Neill, 42, was appointed as Nigel Worthington’s successor at the end of December and will finally get his first taste of action against Norway tonight.
He has two more friendlies – against Holland and Finland – to go before kicking off a difficult pursuit for a spot at the 2014 World Cup, in a group that also includes Portugal, Russia and Israel.
It’s a very proud moment to get the opportunity at the age I am and at this stage of my coaching career
O’Neill, who has made Rangers midfielder Steven Davis his new captain, said: “It’s a very proud moment to get the opportunity at the age I am and at this stage of my coaching career. I look forward to it.
“I look at a group of players who have everything to gain and recognise the opportunity they have.
“Hopefully there isn’t that unrealistic weight of expectancy that maybe some of the players have struggled to deal with in the past.”