McCarthy not concerned by Ireland’s poor run

Ex-Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy had told his Republic of Ireland players to forget a desperately disappointing 12 months as he attempts to usher in a new era.

The 60-year-old took his first training session since being appointed manager for the second time on Monday morning and insisted he is looking forwards rather than back with Ireland’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier in Gibraltar just days away.

The Republic won only one of the nine internationals they played in 2018, a return which ultimately proved fatal for McCarthy’s predecessor Martin O’Neill, anoher former Black Cats boss.

However, the new man insists he has not even considered that run of results and whether it will affect the current squad.

He said: “Do you know something? I’ve never even considered it. I’ve never thought about it at all.

“That’s got nothing to do with me that, what happened before.

“It’s up to me to get positive results and have people smiling again. Let’s hope I can do that.

“But what went on before me is not my problem and not my responsibility. It’s my responsibility to change that. I’ll be doing my damnedest to make sure that’s not the case and I’m sure the lads will.

“They’re all proud of being in here and wanting to do well. I doubt they’ll be happy with that record. I didn’t know that record, I haven’t looked back on what’s gone on.

“I’m looking forward and not considering what went on before me.”

McCarthy, who won 57 caps for Ireland as a player, famously guided the nation to the 2002 World Cup finals and is remembered fondly as a result.