O’Neill hails his new boys as Republic caught cold by Iceland
MARTIN O’Neill declared himself happy with the Republic of Ireland’s new faces despite a 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland at the Aviva Stadium last night.
Following Friday’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Wales, the former Northern Ireland captain handed debuts to Daryl Horgan, John Egan and Andy Boyle.
The Republic never really looked a major threat, however, and Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Iceland were worth their win, Hordur Magnusson curling in a 21st-minute free-kick.
O’Neill refused to give names when asked who he was impressed with, but said: “I would rather keep that in the dressing room but I think some of the players who played for the first time can be very proud.”
However, the Republic manager also admitted that his men didn’t keep the ball all that well, especially in the first period, putting it down to players’ eagerness to prove themselves.
“You are coming off the back of Friday so you are coming in with a different mindset,” O’Neill said. “Some players feel as if this is their time to play. There is a extra pressure there and players maybe need to relax a wee bit.”
“The ball was like a hot potato in the first half. I thought in the second half we were in more than reasonable control.
“First half, we didn’t do well at all. We were better in the second half but creating some clearcut chances is something that we have to do better.
“Tonight will be great for some of the players to know what it is like to step out there and play international football.
“Horgan, coming on, did really fine, caused problems, put in great balls but unfortunately we were not able to put the ball in the back of the net. Horgan should be pretty pleased with his contribution.
“We lost the game but there are positives to come out of it.”
And O’Neill was upbeat about his injured skipper.
“Seamus (Coleman) is much better today and is in much better spirits and is getting out tomorrow, I think. He is very positive,” he said.
Stand-in captain Robbie Brady admitted he would have liked to get the armband in different circumstances.
“The armband felt good. It was a bit disappointing in the way that I managed to get it after the injury to our skipper the other night,” he said.
“I don’t think you can just kop out and say it was because of the tempo the other night (against Wales) that we didn’t perform,” he added.
“No game is a friendly game any more especially at this level. We wanted to go out and put in a performance and get the win. We didn’t manage to do that.
“To concede a free kick and for that to be the only goal was disappointing.
“Okay, the second half was a lot better but we didn’t manage to break them down and get the goal we needed.
“I didn’t get to put a stamp on the game I would have liked.
“The lads that came on and the debutants all did well. They brought a bit of spark.
“We have to put this result behind us and focus on the game in June (against Austria).”