Perth born and raised O’Neill is eligible to represent both Australia and Ireland through his background. Both of his parents were born in Dublin and the 24-year-old has an Irish passport.

O’Neill was previously linked to the Green Army under namesake boss Martin O’Neill, but he has been axed and at the end of November was replaced by McCarthy.

With the Sky Blues man seemingly behind Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine, Musti Amini and James Jeggo in the Socceroos’ central midfield pecking order, O’Neill could turn to Ireland.

But he has yet to receive a call from the former Sunderland, Wolves and Ipswich manager.

"Not just yet. It’s hard with the time difference,” O’Neill joked to FTBL.

"That’s another aspiration for me, playing for a national team. I’d be forever honoured and humbled to play for the Irish national team or for Australia, with my family and friends having ties with both countries.

"That’s something else I’ll have to look at when the opportunity arises. I can only control literally what I can do and that’s wake up every morning and try and be the best I can every day.

"Sleep well, eat right and do all the things and more that a professional footballer should be doing."