O'Neill: Footballers have it made

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has admitted every day is like Christmas Day for a professional footballer.

The Black Cats, like clubs around the country, will forego part of the festivities as they prepare for their Boxing Day clash with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. However, 60-year-old O'Neill insists that is a small price to pay for the life modern-day players lead.

"It's the most phenomenal life you could get, particularly if you have a couple of years where you can be successful. I was lucky enough to be involved in a Nottingham Forest team which ruled Europe for a couple of years, so that was really fantastic," he said.

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