Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says older players will be given time to weigh up whether they want to bow out of international football after Euro 2016.

O'Neill's attention will now turn to the qualification process for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and he may have to accept that some of his elder players may want to sign off prior to that competition.

Speaking after a fanzone event where 10,000 supporters welcomed them back to Belfast on Monday, O'Neill said: "Those who are thinking that it is time to call it a day, maybe they may rethink.

"We've had a wee laugh and a joke about it a couple of times but I think we need to give them time. They need to be able to go away from it and have time to reflect.

"Not only are they at a certain stage in their club career but they have young families too.

"They've been away for 39 days which is a huge commitment on top of what they've had with their clubs. The Premier League players already spend so much time away anyway with being away in hotels.

"I understand the things they have to consider. They have been great servants for me and great servants for Northern Ireland and we will respect any decision they make but hopefully they stay on."