James McClean believes the Republic of Ireland should have had a last-minute penalty in their Nations League clash with Denmark at the Aviva Stadium.
The game ended in a frustrating stalemate and right at the death the home side appealed for a spot-kick when Shane Duffy went over under a challenge from Henrik Dalsgaard.
Referee Javier Estrada didn’t see it that way and he booked the Ireland defender, a decision McClean contested.
"You’ll be able to tell me if it was a penalty or not," he said, speaking to RTÉ Sport. "I felt that it was, I don’t feel that he needed to dive."
Martin O'Neill admitted he didn't believe it was a spot-kick however.
"I've seen it back and I think it would have been harsh on them," he said.
"The defender's come in and they've gone together. If it had been given against me, I wouldn't have been too pleased with it. I've seen it back just very quickly. He has touched him, but I don't think it's a penalty."
Ireland failed to impress against the Danes, who won 5-1 on their last visit here to seal a place in this year’s Russia 2018 World Cup, though McClean insists this was an encouraging performance after a 4-1 defeat to Wales in their first Nations League encounter in September.
"It’s our first point on the board and we needed something like that after the Wales game. That’s progress," the Derryman said.
"We battled well and that’s progress because they hammered us here 5-1 the last time we played them. Clean sheet – we haven’t kept one of those since we played Denmark away so hopefully we can match that hard work and determination with a goal against Wales."
Ireland take on Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night, the third of their four Nations League games.
