Room for improvement after Portugal pain, says O’Donnell
HAVING emerged from the shadows into the bright lights of international football, Stephen O’Donnell has already confounded many of the doubters he’s encountered along the way. He remains his own harshest critic, however, and the Kilmarnock full-back’s assessment of his display in the 3-1 defeat by Portugal is that he fell some way short of the standards to which he aspires. A moment’s hesitation for Killie can often go unpunished but his failure to engage the overlapping Kevin Rodrigues at Hampden on Sunday ended with Helder Costa prodding home the opener. Nor does O’Donnell reflect on his part in Eder’s later headed goal with any degree of pleasure. By his own admission, he ought to have done better on both occasions. Freed from Celtic as a teenager and once of Partick Thistle and Luton, the 26-yearold’s very presence on the field against the European champions is laudable. But having belatedly arrived at a level many thought beyond him, the need to eliminate fundamental errors hardly needs spelled out in bold capital letters. ‘I was really disappointed after the Israel game and I was also disappointed at being involved in a couple of the goals lost against Portugal,’ said O’Donnell. ‘Those are the small margins which make you a top player and an international and that’s a learning curve. There were some things I did well. Maybe there were times I could have been more positive, tried to play forward and help create. ‘But I’m at a level and I’m trying to give the ball to players who have more in their game going forward and then make the runs off them to try and help them out. There are things I need to brush up on.’ Most managers will forgive goals lost from open play. The loss of a man — and consequently a goal — from a set-piece, however, is never tolerated. ‘The second goal, especially,’ admitted O’Donnell. ‘The first goal was a bit unlucky, but I dropped early at the second. ‘There was a bit of an overload at the back post. I’ve seen their player make a run and I’ve tried to get in there, but the delivery (from Renato Sanches) was perfect and I was punished. ‘That was my fault. We were told to drop on the last step and I hold my hands up for that one. ‘I need to make sure I’m not involved
in (losing) goals. I’m a defender first and foremost.’ Plainly, it would be wrong for all accusing fingers to point towards O’Donnell. Oli McBurnie’s poor hold-up play contributed to the loss of the opener while Graeme Shinnie was turned inside out as Bruma fired a spectacular third. Such costly lapses were witnessed at both ends. With the deficit still one goal, Scott McKenna eluded his marker at a corner only to head wide of the target. ‘I actually forgot about it until we got back in the changing room and they (his team-mates) reminded me,’ said the Aberdeen man. ‘It was a big moment and I should have done better.’ McKenna famously announced his arrival as a player with a raking 40-yard drive against Kilmarnock in January. Taking more elementary chances will be required if he’s to continue to enhance his reputation. ‘It’s something I need to work on,’ he conceded. ‘I don’t score enough goals for a centre-back. ‘There’s an onus on us to pop up with goals now and again, especially with the size of us. Even back at my club I need to be doing better. I don’t think I’ve scored with my head since I came into the first team at Aberdeen so it’s something I need to work on.’