Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KENNY: I’LL IGNORE ALL DOUBTERS!
STEPHEN KENNY took aim at his critics last night and insisted he will have the last laugh.
The Republic of Ireland manager went 11 games without a win after a 1-1 draw with Qatar in Hungary.
World Cup hopes are already hanging by a thread but Kenny said: “Everyone is coming out of the woodwork, wanting to kick us when we’re down.
“Some people have turned very quickly. But I’ve experienced a lot in my life and I feel really strong because I don’t care and because I know what I’m doing.
“It’s irrelevant to me what other people think.
“I’ve great belief in the players in this squad and I think we’re going to formulate a very good squad over the next couple of years.
“We will get back on track and give the Irish supporters an Irish team to be proud of.
“And I’m going to be part of that, I’m going to manage that and I’m going to make sure we’re even better. I believe that.”
Kenny (above) added: “Perspective is needed. My first game as manager was only six months ago and I’m committed here for the campaign.”
The FAI has already said it will offer Kenny a new deal once there are clear signs of improvement in the remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Saturday’s defeat to Luxembourg was a devastating blow and Kenny said: “I’m used to winning, because I hardly lost for five years (with Dundalk).
“And then we nearly won every match for the under-21s. The reason I got this job is because of my record.
“I’m happy with the way the players are progressing and tonight was quite a decent performance.”
Scorer James Mcclean said: “It would have been nice for ourselves, the manager and the naton to get that first win. We’re trying to put the ideas from the manager’s philosophy out there, but it’s going to take time.”