The Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has said he will not panic at his team's heavy defeat to Russia.
Mick's men faced a Russian team with a lot to prove, after a disastrous showing in the World Cup finals, and the former Celtic defender said there would be no drastic changes to the team after the 4-2 defeat in Moscow.
McCarthy had never seen his side leak four goals in his six years in charge, and he said after the match: "This is the first bad day we have had at the office for a long, long time. It was a bad day, but we were always going to have one at some stage.
"The only time I would be angry with them is if we didn't compete or have a go, but that's not the case here. They all had a right go and there has been no lack of effort or commitment, so how could I be angry with them?
"I am not going to go screaming or shouting at lads who have been so consistent for so long. Some days you don't play as well as others and that for me is what it was about."
McCarthy admitted that Ireland had performed well since the last set of European Championship qualifiers ended in play-off heartbreak. The Ireland boss saw his side pick themselves up and battle their way into the World Cup finals at the expense of Holland after the Euro 2000 campaign, so he accepted their early hiccup in Moscow.
"Look back at this group of lads and how consistently they have performed over the last two years. There is not going to be major surgery or major changes and to suggest that would be ridiculous because they have been excellent," he stressed.
"You could see how delighted Russia were to win, we have become a bit of a scalp - that goes with the territory.
"This result is finished now and it is what we do against the other teams. That is the way we have to look at it and that is the way I have always done."
The inevitable questions about Roy Keane and the input he might have had were met with an equally inevitable answer.
McCarthy said: "Roy has a hip injury so he would not have been able to play anyway. But he has said he is not going to play.
"It is not going to change, that situation. I think the situation is far beyond repair. Roy tells everybody that and it is not going to make it any different."
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