Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
O’Neill ponders future as boss
MARTIN O’Neill said he would need to have “a real think” about his future after the Republic of Ireland saw their World Cup hopes left in ruins.
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen ended Ireland’s play-off bid i n brutal fashion with a hat-trick as the Danes raced to a 5-1 play-off second-leg victory in Dublin, following the goalless draw in Copenhagen.
Republic boss O’Neill had been criticised for a perceived negative approach in the first leg but he saw a more expansive approach cost his side dearly after they had taken an early lead.
He said: “I’m really disappointed, obviously, we were well beaten in the end. We got off to a really good start and had a chance maybe to make it 2-0 and we probably needed that.
“But the two goals we conceded in a couple of minutes knocked us for six.”
O’Neill and his coaching team have verbally agreed contract extensions with the Football Association of Ireland, with their existing deals effectively expired.
But asked if the result would have any effect on his i mmediate future, O’Neill said: “Do you know what? I’ll have to have a real think about it.”
Shane Duffy headed the Republic into a sixth-minute lead but a Cyrus Christie own goal and Eriksen’s first inside three minutes turned the game on its head.
The Spurs player grabbed two more after the break before substitute Nicklas Bendtner slotted home a last-minute penalty.