Ronan Hale: Striker can ‘handle’ any ‘grief’ he receives over switch to Northern Ireland
Hale has long waited for FIFA liquidation to get an international switch, but after missing the fall National League match, he is in a desperate need to compete in the upcoming friendly match, as a preparatory for the World Cup qualifiers that will begin in September.
He said: “It’s hard to be selected.
“Things rolled fast, but obviously the process is a bit long and thankfully we are here right now.
“It’s been a long time, but now it’s coming up and I’m looking forward to mixing. It’s a young group.”
Hale explained that some conversations with NI boss O’Neill paved the way for his move.
“I remember Jim Magilton (Manager Cliftonville and 52x Northern Ireland International) saying to me, Michael likes me, he wants to sit down with you, and I said ‘No problem’.
“I started talking to him and once I took action (to Ross County), it was simple. I talked to my family and they supported the decision.”
The former Larne forward is determined to end his season with high scores at club and international standards.
“I’m not usually a target, but now I’m back to a full-time environment where I plan to score 10 goals by Christmas, and I got that in January, so I’m not far away.
“Now, I just want to complete this season with as many goals as possible and now I want to add international goals there as well.
“We had a huge game with Hearts over the weekend and a win would make me a good breakthrough for the international one.”
A full interview with Ronan Hale on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle on Saturday, March 15, 14:00 GMT.
