Chiedozie Ogbene held up his hand and took some of the blame for the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 defeat to Greece at the Aviva Stadium.
Stephen Kenny’s side were well beaten by the Greeks on an evening that ended their hopes of progressing to Euro 2024 from the qualifiers.
First-half goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Giorgos Masouras at a sparsely-populated Aviva Stadium plunged Ireland’s Group B campaign further into the mire with five defeat from their six games.
Ogbene was one of the rare bright points for Ireland as his running and aggressive play at least gave the Greek defence something to worry about.
The Irish winger was involved in the opening Greek goal when he came off second-best as he challenged full-back Kostas Tsimikas.
The Liverpool player benefitted from a fortunate bounce off Ogbene’s leg as he challenged him and make ground before crossing for the criminally unmarked Giakoumakis to head powerfully past Gavin Bazunu.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport afterward, Ogbene was quick to accept responsibility, even if it did appear that he was ready to shoulder perhaps too much blame.
"I think the first ten minutes we started well, could have been 2-0 up," he said.
"I’ll be self-critical of myself in the first goal, I think I should do better, he shouldn’t go past me so easily and obviously they get a chance at this level and we’re 1-0 down.
"I don’t think we deserved to be 2-0 down with the chances we created. Honestly I’m very disappointed and I know everyone is disappointed.
"At this level these things matter. I was disappointed with the first chance because we were on top and were dominating but maybe there was a lazy leg from me and we’re 1-0 down."
"We didn’t take our chances, we we’re just not sharp enough in possession and I think that’s what let us down today."
Celtic defender Liam Scales admitted to similar disappointment with the result and performance.
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Scales started was what his first senior Irish game and along with Ogbene was a rare bright light in a green jersey.
"I think they were just more clinical than us in both boxes," he said. "We had probably as much chances, if not more.
"I feel like if we could have taken our chances and defended our box better at the same time we could have definitely got a result.
"The goal before half-time was sloppy and that’s what killed us.
Scales did admit to being pleased with making his senior international debut, as his season goes from strength to strength at club level.
"On a personal level I’m delighted," he added. "I enjoyed it but it’s just disappointing to not get the result that we needed."
