Hale was called into O’Neill’s squad for two friendlies in March but, in a surprise to some, didn’t figure in either of the games against Switzerland and Sweden.
After a protracted process involving Fifa to conclude an international transfer from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland fans felt the Ross County striker would play at some point in March but wasn’t given any game-time.
He has been named in the panel for the June fixtures away to Denmark and at home to Iceland and O’Neill suggested there are plans in place for the 26-year-old, who is the Staggies’ top goalscorer in the 2024/25 season.
Speaking before the first leg of County’s Scottish Premiership Relegation Play-Off at Livingston on Thursday night in which Hale scored a late equalising penalty, O’Neill said: “Ronan wasn’t the only player that didn’t play in the last squad.
“I have to judge Ronan on how Ronan’s playing. I don’t judge him on his transfer. That was outside of my control. That was a decision the boy made, so I will judge him on how he is playing.
“If you look at Ronan, he had a really good start to the season. He had a difficult period around Christmas and went out of Ross County’s team, so he didn’t play a lot of football between maybe January and March, and then he came back into their team and has done well. Maybe he needed that little bit of recovery.
“Probably when he came into us in March, he wasn’t really in his best form at that point in time.
“He has addressed that and has been a big player for Ross County – 16 goals in all competitions in his first season is a good return.
“We have purposely picked fewer forwards to give us the opportunity to give them minutes.
“I decided we didn’t need to see Jamie Reid in this situation, Josh (Magennis) is injured so, hopefully, we can get Ronan on the pitch.”
In March, Northern Ireland’s young guns drew 1-1 at home to the Swiss to continue an encouraging run of form before being hammered 5-1 in Sweden when O’Neill was missing several starters.
The international chief said the players took that defeat hard.
“The dressing room after the Sweden game was very quiet, and you look around and see how young the squad is, but I think it’s important they go through that,” said O’Neill.
“In a club situation, you’re able to address it two or three days later or at the very most the following Saturday. In international football, you carry the result a wee bit more.
“Most of them are playing their club football at a slightly lower level but they got a taste of what it’s like, having to deal with (Sweden’s) Alexander Isak for example.
“Coming into the Denmark game, they’ll get a feel for it as well because Denmark’s players play across the top Leagues in Europe.
“We’ll see in this camp how they react to it, I suppose, but in terms of their attitude to it, their availability and their desire to come away and be part of it, it is very, very strong.
“In the past, June could be a difficult month, particularly for friendlies. It’s not difficult for me at all.
“I’m not dealing with players who want to withdraw. Unfortunately, I have players who are injured and the best decision is for them not to be involved because they need to be ready for pre-season with their clubs, and a good pre-season will help them for September (for the World Cup qualifiers).”
In his second spell in charge, O’Neill feels his new-era side is on the right track.
“I think we’re probably ahead of schedule, if I’m being honest,” he said.