McCarthy putting points over anything as Republic eye Euro 2020

Mick McCarthy will take a win over Georgia however it comes as the Republic of Ireland target qualification for the Euro 2020 finals.McCarthy admitted he hated every minute of Saturday evenings 1-0 victory in Gibraltar as his team laboured to break down largely part-time opposition on a plastic pitch in the teeth of a gale.Asked how the Republic can spark the kind of atmosphere his team played in during his first spell in charge, he said: I guess a fast, attacking, aggressive Irish performance that I think we all appreciate.MMcC: I'm not judging those players on the Gibraltar game. That pitch, that wind. I know the players are better than that so I'm not going to judge them, we know we're better. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Gi3h8zxoJs FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 25, 2019Its not going to be easy because theyll be difficult to play against, but outside all of that, Ill still take a win however it comes.Thats my intention of how to play lets see if that bears fruit. But lets hope we win because the object for me with seven games to go is to qualify for the Euros.McCarthy admits he is excited at the prospect of sending out a team once again at the Lansdowne Road venue with fans desperate for something to cheer as Martin ONeills final calendar year at the helm brought few goals and even fewer victories.Asked if that added any pressure to his job, McCarthy said: What has happened in the past doesnt increase any pressure on me at all.It was a below-par first game back in charge for Mick McCarthy (Simon Galloway/PA)Ive started with a pretty ordinary performance and got three points, the same three points that it would have been if wed played brilliantly and won by more goals.The history of it doesnt bother me. Theres no more pressure on me than having to stand in front of 45,000 people who have got great goodwill towards me and are all expecting good things from us all.Theres enough pressure. I dont let other things affect me.McCarthy has only one fresh injury concern with central defender Shane Duffy due to undergo a precautionary scan on an ankle injury he picked up in Gibraltar, although he and his players may have another issue with which to contend.John Delaney is leaving his post (Brian Lawless/PA)Reports have suggested some fans are planning protests one claims supporters will throw tennis balls on to the pitch against controversial outgoing Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney, who, it was announced on Saturday evening, is to take up the newly-created role of executive vice-president.McCarthy urged them instead to back the team, although did proffer one solution.He said: Ive been at games, Ive been at Charlton when people have done it, and its not going to help us play any better, thats for sure, so I hope thats not the case.Theyre coming to watch a football match and they want us to win and give us the best chance, and thats getting behind us and not having any outside influences affecting that.But I cant do anything about it if they do. Maybe Ill take a tennis racket with me.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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