Martin O'Neill disappointed by Scotland defeat

Posted Saturday, November 15, 2014 by skysports.com

Martin O'Neill disappointed by Scotland defeat
Martin O'Neill: Disappointed to lose to Scotland

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill was disappointed after seeing his side go down to a narrow defeat to Scotland in their Euro 2016 qualifier at Celtic Park.

Shaun Maloney's late goal earned Scotland all three points and inflicted the first defeat on O'Neill's side in Group D.

O'Neill was extremley disappointed to concede a goal from set-piece despite it being a well-worked training ground routine from Scotland.

"I'm naturally disappointed," O'Neill told Sky Sports. "For the away side we were in reasonable control of the game, we didn't give away too many chances and they scored form a corner.

"It was a really tough game. A derby game as it was considered. It was frenetic, stop start in many aspects and overall I didn't think that we would lose the game.

"To lose a game on a set-piece is disappointing. We didn't react quickly enough and that was suicidal."

O'Neill also admitted he felt Scotland defender Grant Hanley was fortunate to escape red card early on in the game when he brought down Shane Long after the Irish striker tried to go clear on goal.

"My first reaction to the Grant Hanley challenge in the first half was that it was a red card but I have not seen any replays since," added O'Neill. "There may have been another defender to cover but I haven't seen it since.

The defeat means Scotland have moved level on points with the Republic, with Poland on top with ten points from four games, but O'Neill insists there is still a long way to go in the qualifying campaign.

"Poland have won today, it's a long process but we have seven points on the board," noted O'Neill. "Scotland still have to come to us."