Martin O’Neill wasn’t in upbeat form after tonight’s draw with Scotland.
The Republic of Ireland manager was furious with his side’s concession right after half time but he also takes responsibility for the two dropped points.
Ireland still lag two points behind Scotland with just four games remaining and realistic chances of achieving a top three finish in the qualifying group rest on springing a miraculous result against Poland or Germany.
And O’Neill has bemoaned the Scottish equaliser.
“We have absolutely fallen asleep for the goal just after half time,” the Derry man said in his post-game press conference. “We had three chances to close down and then it’s hit off O’Shea when it was going wide. It’s [my] responsibility, too. The minute you become a manager, it’s your responsibility. From kick off, we hadn’t closed down. Of course I take responsibility.”
It was a bright start from the Irish at Aviva and, after Jon Walters had them ahead in the first half, the boss was jumping.
“I thought that we were very dominant in the first half and that we deserved to be in front. We didn’t really want half time to come. I thought Scotland were in disarray at the time and we were in control of the game.
“[Scotland’s] best spell was just after their goal for about 10 minutes but I thought we pulled ourselves around and I thought we were going to win it in the end. We didn’t and obviously I’m disappointed not to win.”
Gordon Strachan came out afterwards and hailed referee Nicola Rizzoli for a ‘brave’ and ‘terrific’ performance.
It was strange compliment to pay a man who vastly underperformed in a game where both sides could’ve had huge complaints about his decisions – or lack of.
“I’m not surprised Gordon thought that,” O’Neill said afterwards. “I’m not surprised at all. Naismith refereed the game along with him for most of it. I’m sure he did [think the referee was good] but it wouldn’t be our view in our dressing room.”
Nevertheless, the manager is refusing to write off his side’s chances of even reaching a playoff for coming in third.
“Naturally, the advantage is to Scotland because the status quo remains,” he said. “They must be delighted to get something from the game. But, having said that, we are still in the group. This is not just fighting bravado talk, we are still well in the group. We have two games in September, we’re going to take those and see where it leads us by the time we come into the Germany game.
“We have two games to win, away in Gibraltar and at home to Gerogia.
“We need to try to create a few more clear cut chances. We had a lot of pressure, we had a lot of corner kicks but we have to try and turn that pressure into goals and that’s the most difficult.”
