MICK MCCARTHY was adamant that Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Georgia was a good point in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
The Boys in Green maintained their unbeaten record in qualifying but were unable to break the deadlock in a dour draw in Tbilisi.
And while Ireland currently sit in top spot in Group D, it increased the pressure to get a result in the upcoming clashes with Switzerland and Denmark.
However Ireland boss McCarthy says he was happy to come away from Georgia with a point in the bag.
He told RTE after the match: “It’s a point gained, they’re a very good side.
“I don’t think we’ve been beaten by them now over 10 or 11 games, we’ve had some wins.
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“Had you offered me four points from two games against Georgia prior to the competition I would have took it.
“We’ve come away from home and secured a point and it’s a good point in my view.
“While we’d like to be better and we’re always trying to be better, with the sessions we put on we try to get goals, I’m going away happy with the point.”
Ireland were forced to shuffle the pack with injuries to Richard Keogh and Darren Randolph as well as Enda Stevens’ suspension.
Matt Doherty was used at left back while James Collins made his first Ireland start but McCarthy didn’t put the disjointed performance down to the changes.
He said: “I’m not going to blame it on anything, I think the Georgia team closed us down and pressed us.
“I thought when we won it back we didn’t make enough of it, we gave it away far too often. We weren’t particularly good in possession.
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“I would have liked to have worked it more of course, I would have liked to have won the game.
“But I’m not going to blame it because they weren’t together. We’ve got Doc playing at left back who’s not a natural left footer so that didn’t make it easy for us.
“But he’s defended really well and contributed to what, in my view, is a good point.”