James McClean is not concerned about the aesthetics of Ireland’s road to Russia as long as it ends in success.
The winger helped Ireland to a 1-0 Group D win over Georgia in the World Cup European qualifiers but the performance was far from convincing with the visitors, who have never taken a point off Ireland in seven competitive games, dominating for spells.
Asked why Ireland weren’t able to hold on to the ball more, as they showed against Sweden and Italy at Euro 2016, the West Brom midfielder told RTÉ Sport: “Look, the ideal way is to play pretty football and get a win.
“This whole thing about playing pretty football – at the end of the day I would rather play scrappy and win than play nice football and come away with nothing so a win is what it’s all about.
“People need to realise that they are a lot better than people give them credit for.
“It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done. If we get to Russia no one cares about how we got there.”
The ex-Derry City man almost doubled Ireland’s advantage but had one header ruled out for offside and hit the post with anther effort late on.
“It just wasn’t to be tonight,” said the 27-year-old. “I was marginally offside for the first goal – so much for giving the advantage to the attacker.
“The second one, I got good contact to it and he’s got a fingertip save to it. On another night my luck’s in and they go in but we got a captain’s goal and three points.”
Ireland now face Moldova away on Sunday evening (7.45pm, live on RTÉ2).
Georgia captain Guram Kashia was left to rue Seamus Coleman's 'rugby goal' @Corktod #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/w2xVOd7QPK
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 7, 2016
