Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington suggested his makeshift team lacked conviction but remained upbeat after a dismal loss to Scotland last night.
Worthington's side, missing a number of regular starters, were overwhelmed by a far superior Scotland as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin.
Northern Ireland were struggling to contain the Scots before Kenny Miller opened the scoring after 19 minutes, and there was no way back after a James McArthur cross drifted in. Kris Commons added the third goal early in the second half.
Worthington said: ‘There were 10 players missing that would normally be in the group.
‘That lets you see other players and I thought the younger players did very well.
‘There were some situations where players maybe didn't want to get hurt, from the club point of view, but that is a million dollar question. I can't do anything about that.
‘You learn about your players, so it is a worthwhile exercise.
‘We are disappointed with the defeat and the performance but you learn, you never stop.
‘No matter how dull or dark a defeat is, there are always positives.
‘I am one of those who sees the glass half-full, not half-empty.’
One player not involved was defender George McCartney, who abruptly retired from international football this week.
The 29-year-old, currently on loan at Leeds from Sunderland, failed to report for duty with the rest of the squad and then informed coaching staff by text message he did not want to be considered again.
Worthington, who coaxed McCartney out of retirement in 2007 after the player previously withdrew his services, has clearly been angered by the timing and manner of the latest development.
‘The situation is straightforward,’ said Worthington. ‘George McCartney sent a text message to one of my coaching staff to say he no longer wished to play international football.
‘At some stage someone must have had a word with him to say it might be a good idea to speak to me, so I got a call from him on Monday morning.
‘That was the end of it. He has tried to contact me a few times since but I have not accepted the calls because he doesn't want to play for his country.
‘That is his decision and as far as I am concerned the matter is closed.’
