Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has vowed to stick with the players who played with the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup Ireland's 4-2 defeat in Russia. The Euro 2004 qualifier ended in the worst result in the 68 games of McCarthy's six-year reign. "This is the first bad day we have had at the office for a long, long time," McCarthy said.
He laughed off suggestions he might make changes for next month's Group 10 qualifier at home to Switzerland, and added: "It was a bad day, but we were always going to have one at some stage. The only time I would be angry with them is if we didn't compete or have a go, but that's not the case here. They all had a right go and there has been no lack of effort or commitment, so how could I be angry with them?"
"I am not going to go screaming or shouting at lads who have been so consistent for so long. Some days you don't play as well as others and that for me is what it was about," McCarthy added. "Look back at this group of lads and how consistently they have performed over the last two years. There is not going to be major surgery or major changes and to suggest that would be ridiculous because they have been excellent."
"You could see how delighted Russia were to win, we have become a bit of a scalp - that goes with the territory. This result is finished now and it is what we do against the other teams. That is the way we have to look at it and that is the way I have always done," McCarthy continued.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
