Players adamant they’re not far away
KNIGHT: WE STRUGGLED TO RECOVER AFTER CONCEDING SO EARLY IN SECOND HALF
GIOVANNI Trapattoni used to talk about the little details in games when he was Republic of Ireland manager. To the veteran Italian, a minor incident could have a major impact, such as the time Liam Lawrence jumped in a wall when defending a free-kick and the ball went under his feet. Trap was unimpressed.
At Hampden Park on Saturday night, fine margins replaced little details.
Just as Stephen Kenny looked to be on course to avenge his 2007 Scottish Cup final defeat with Dunfermline, Ireland lost a lead, and their way in the second half.
Jason Knight, an energetic presence in the trenches, sensed the mood turning in battle on a night of ‘fine margins.’
‘Goals change momentum in games. Conceding so early in the second half was a blow,’ he said, adding: ‘But we did step up after that and made a couple of good chances.’
He went on: ‘They had a good bit of sustained chances and we have to look back on how we deal with crosses better and defend our box, but the lads at the back did really well for large parts.
‘It’s a game of fine margins and we fell short.
‘Pivotal moments went against us. Conceding so early in the second half was a blow and we struggled to get back from that. It’s a disappointing result and we have to focus on Tuesday now.’
Fine margins and falling short has become a bit of a nagging trend for Kenny’s Ireland. It has to be reversed or more questions will be asked.
In fairness, the vibe from the players is one of support for Kenny and his vision.
The supporters too, in the main, are backing the Dubliner and his methods, such as his blooding of youngsters including Knight, who has won 16 caps at the tender age of 21.
With an average age of 24, Ireland have youth on their side, if not yet consistency in terms of performance.
‘It’s hard to get consistency at international level,’ said Knight.
‘There are a lot of younger lads coming through but there is progression. I think everyone can see that but it’s about us putting in performances consistently and getting good results.
Knight hailed the ‘electric’ partnership of Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott, who tormented the Scots defence at times.
‘It gave us a really good outlet and you saw in spells what they can offer. On another night Michael gets an assist and Troy gets a goal.
‘We had done a lot of preparation (for Scotland) and it looked like it was paying off in the first half.
‘We got joy down the sides, on another day we go in (at halftime) 2-0 up and that changes the complexion of the game.
‘We had spells in the second half too but it’s a game of fine margins and something we have to work on.’
John Egan, the captain, who led by example, expressed his belief in Kenny’s young guns as he reflected on yes, you guessed it, a night of ‘fine margins’.
‘You could see in the team, we had a lot of young players, the future is very bright for Ireland, a lot of young players coming through, if they manage to keep improving at the rate they are going, they are going to have big careers.
‘Nathan Collins has been brilliant, with a really good attitude. He’s a big player for us and for his club as well, he’s a very confident player and it’s hard to believe he’s only 21. The future is really bright for him.’
With a week to prepare, Ireland were ready for Scotland and when Egan fired them in front, it was no more than the visitors deserved.
‘Coming away to Scotland is a tough game, we saw how they did against Ukraine the other night.
‘We started the game fantastic, took the lead and quietened the crowd.
‘In the first half, we really played well so I don’t think the ability is in question, the performances are not in question.
‘It’s just the fine margins in football. On another day Troy (Parrott) sticks that in the back of the net and we get the lead again. Then, they get a call with a penalty that wins them the game.
‘It’s a tough one to take. Overall, it’s a performance that deserved at least a draw.’
Ireland don’t have time to lick wounds. Instead, they need to sign off a third indifferent Nations League campaign on a high against Armenia tomorrow.
The ‘r’ word is hovering around the game but Egan isn’t thinking like that.
‘I never think negatively, a lot of people try and think negatively but I am very positive, I am sure the lads are all chomping at the bit to put it right on Tuesday.’
If there are more ‘fine margins’ tomorrow, Ireland will want to be on the right side of them.