Look, we’re not suggesting Slaven Bilic and Martin O’Neill aren’t the best of buds here…
Nope, not at all…. It’s just quite a few other folk are. Both were in the ITV studio for Croatia’s nervy last-16 win over Denmark on Sunday evening.
The game had finished 1-1 after extra-time, Kasper Schmeichel denying Luka Modric’s penalty at the death. The Leicester City goalkeeper was able to pull off a couple more saves in the shoot-out, but it wasn’t enough – Croatia sealing their passage to the quarter-finals and a semi-final with Russia.
Naturally, this was a proud moment for Bilic – an ex Croatian international and the country’s manager between 2006 and 2012. Speaking afterwards, he set about explaining how much it meant to his nation.
“We are a small country,” he began, only for O’Neill to interrupt.
“You’ve told us that so many times,” the Ireland boss appeared to say before muttering something else.
Bilic replied by acknowledging that Croatia was, in fairness, bigger than Ireland.
“Much bigger,” O’Neill added.
“Better football players,” Bilic added, the laughter of Mark Pougatch and Lee Dixon subsiding slightly…
Here, watch. Although it may not be intentional, it does seem a little tense for a couple of seconds…
And again, while we’re not saying the pair have issues with one another, plenty of people on Twitter were doing exactly that.
Dont believe Martin O'Neil nd Slaven Bilic will be having a beer or two after th show.
Definite needle there…— Elton Welsby (@WelsbyElton) July 1, 2018
Could watch the weird energy between Bilic and Martin O’Neil forever
— ed simons (@eddychemical) July 1, 2018
@ITVworldcup I think another week together and Mr O’Neil and Mr Bilic will resort to my dads bigger than yours with Mr Dixon in between #Tension
— Craig FdSc (@gzmo38) July 1, 2018
It’s getting really awkward on @itvfootball bilic and O’Neil don’t get on at all.. now bilic is moanin about @itvfootball showing him celebrating
— Matthew Tidmarsh (@tiddy88) July 1, 2018
I’ll give big Slaven Bilic 2 minutes before he throws Martin O’Neil out of the studio window 😂😂
— I (@_biancs__) July 1, 2018
Lee Dixon watching O’Neil and Bilić like pic.twitter.com/A1NYJzxOpS
— Alex Cartwright (@alexjames_92) July 1, 2018
