At the Mariners, O'Neill's dealt with pervasive rumours of a fractured dressing room, bust-ups, player desertions, fans that vary between mocking and irate and a coach who looks older by the day.

It's a long way from the English football system, which spawned the cool, calm and collected 18-year-old who debuted against Liverpool in 2016, just seven months after signing his first professional contract.

Technically adept and boasting a strong ability to read the game, the imprint of English youth coaches are clearly evident in the Australian's effortless style. Should his career continue along the same path, the whole of Australia will likely benefit in turn.

"It's every kid's dream to play in the Premier League and I've done that," O'Neill said.

"But now I want to cement myself. There's been a little bit of contact from Burnley since I've been here, but you've got to go there and show that you've improved and that you can come in and make a difference."

Despite skin so fair the Irish tried to claim him, a calm demeanour and a cushy footballing development (built upon purpose-built backyard pitches and private academy tuition), there is some Brisbane bite in O'Neill. 

The hardy, heavily-tattooed midfielder isn't afraid to stick a leg in - he also leads Central Coast in yellow cards, accumulating the equal-second most in the A-League. 

While fellow Queenslanders may proudly claim it's the sort of tact burgeoned in a Nudgee playground, O'Neill credits it to his previous League One loan clubs. The Australian spent last season escaping a relegation battle with Oldham Athletic before moving to Fleetwood Town. 

"You've got to grow up quickly," O'Neill told Fairfax in November. "That's the way it goes in football."

"Dyche told me: 'You're going to have to battle. It's not going to be easy, you're going to get smashed. The football may not be pretty but you're going to learn to be a man and play under pressure - play for people's livelihoods, mortgages.'

"The fans, they don't hold back over there at all. It's not like the crowds here - they are very, very loud. I've copped it pretty bad a couple of times but you've just got to learn to ignore it. 

"Smile and wave, my dad always says."