Thursday 16 November 2017 13:45, UK
Republic of Ireland midfielder James McClean says his side have been unfairly criticised following their World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark.
Tottenham's Christian Eriksen scored a hat-trick as Denmark came from behind to record a resounding 5-1 win over Martin O'Neill's side in Dublin on Tuesday night, despite Shane Duffy's early opener for the hosts.
O'Neill and his players came under heavy criticism from fans and pundits after the defeat, despite a qualification campaign which saw them finish second ahead of Wales and Austria.
McClean admits Tuesday night's performance was "simply not good enough" but has refused to accept "over the top" comments.
He wrote on Instagram: "Last night is going to hurt deep for a long long time, nothing can change or make what happened last night right, of course everyone is entitled to voice their opinion because it was simply not good enough from us on the night, we know that ourselves.
"But to stick the boot in and kick players and staff when they are down (players and staff [who] have been great servants to this country, players and staff that have qualified for a major tournament and was unlucky to be knocked out to a great team in the last 16, players and staff that were a game from making it to a World Cup, players and staff that would give anything for this great country!) with some over the top beyond football comments is bang out of order, hurting or not.
"And trust me when I say this we hurt every bit as much as you do. I am proud and honoured to be an Irish man and to call every one of these men fellow countrymen and team-mates! Like a said this will hurt deep, we have been written off so many times before and just like before we will bounce back!"
