SM
Everton vs. Liverpool: 14 hrs 12 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RO
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Mar 26, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
GN

1-0

Hourihane (36')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Mick McCarthy: 'Wins more important than good performances'

:Headline: Mick McCarthy: 'Wins more important than good performances': ID:354372: from db_amp
Ireland launched their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a narrow win in Gibraltar.

Mick McCarthy will take a win over Georgia however it comes as the Republic of Ireland target qualification for the Euro 2020 finals.

McCarthy admitted he hated every minute of Saturday evening's 1-0 victory in Gibraltar as his team laboured to break down largely part-time opposition on a plastic pitch in the teeth of a gale.

Asked how the Republic can spark the kind of atmosphere his team played in during his first spell in charge, he said: "I guess a fast, attacking, aggressive Irish performance that I think we all appreciate.

"It's not going to be easy because they'll be difficult to play against, but outside all of that, I'll still take a win however it comes.

"That's my intention of how to play – let's see if that bears fruit. But let's hope we win because the object for me with seven games to go is to qualify for the Euros."

McCarthy admits he is excited at the prospect of sending out a team once again at the Lansdowne Road venue with fans desperate for something to cheer as Martin O'Neill's final calendar year at the helm brought few goals and even fewer victories.

Asked if that added any pressure to his job, McCarthy said: "What has happened in the past doesn't increase any pressure on me at all.

It was a below-par first game back in charge for Mick McCarthy (Simon Galloway/PA)

"I've started with a pretty ordinary performance and got three points, the same three points that it would have been if we'd played brilliantly and won by more goals.

"The history of it doesn't bother me. There's no more pressure on me than having to stand in front of 45,000 people who have got great goodwill towards me and are all expecting good things from us all.

"There's enough pressure. I don't let other things affect me."

McCarthy has only one fresh injury concern with central defender Shane Duffy due to undergo a precautionary scan on an ankle injury he picked up in Gibraltar, although he and his players may have another issue with which to contend.

John Delaney is leaving his post (Brian Lawless/PA)

Reports have suggested some fans are planning protests – one claims supporters will throw tennis balls on to the pitch against controversial outgoing Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney, who, it was announced on Saturday evening, is to take up the newly-created role of executive vice-president.

McCarthy urged them instead to back the team, although did proffer one solution.

He said: "I've been at games, I've been at Charlton when people have done it, and it's not going to help us play any better, that's for sure, so I hope that's not the case.

"They're coming to watch a football match and they want us to win and give us the best chance, and that's getting behind us and not having any outside influences affecting that.

"But I can't do anything about it if they do. Maybe I'll take a tennis racket with me."

amp_article__354372 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-25 18:16:45:
html db last update - 2021-02-16 06:54:23 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Mick McCarthy

Click here for more stories about Republic of Ireland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .