Mick McCarthy praised Ireland’s character after they again responded to going a goal down in EURO 2020 qualifying. He also lamented the fact that they don’t score enough goals.
Ireland will need the Nations League to qualify with Euro 2020 following a 1 – 1 draw with Denmark on Monday.
Mick McCarthy’s men produced a batting performance against the Danes at the Aviva Stadium. However, a 73rd minute Martin Braithwaite goal left them needing two goals to qualify.
Matt Doherty rescued a draw with a downward header in the 85th minute. Denmark were under pressure unto the end of the game, yet Ireland failed to find a winner.
Read: Unai Emery Needs To Get The Players on His Side, Quickly
“Mixed [emotions], disappointed that we have not qualified yet,” said Mick McCarthy after the game.
“But I am immensely proud of the players the way they performed tonight and even more so when we went 1-0 down.
“‘I thought we played well, I thought we competed well and I said before the game if they leave everything on the pitch and they give everything for me, I would take that.
“So I have to take the result. I’m disappointed with that, but that is the only thing I am disappointed with in the whole week.
“It was a poor goal to give away,” said Mick McCarthy. “Doc [Matt Doherty] said it was his man, it was on him, but he has gone and scored the equaliser so I will forgive him slightly.
“I was giving out to him about the goal and I forgot to congratulate him for the goal he scored, so I will go back in there and do that.
“How many goals have we scored? Seven out of eight games. That’s clearly not clinical enough.”
Want to bet on the Nations League? See our reviews section to find the best markets!
“But we don’t get beat in too many games, and maybe a bit of luck, a bounce of the ball at the end, we nick it. Who knows. Had we nicked it, we’d have deserved it.”
Now, Ireland must win a semi-final and a final in the Nations League to qualify for Euro 2020. Their potential opponents in the semifinals are Wales, Slovakia and Bosnia.
“I have three months to prepare for that. We’ll see who we get and I’ll plan for it when we get it.
“If we play the way we are playing, and play as good as that against other teams, we can beat them.”
