O'Donnell praises Rovers fighting spirit
Credit:
Stephen O'Donnell feels that despite a 3-0 defeat in Thursday's Europa
League Group A opener against Rubin Kazan, Shamrock Rovers acquitted
themselves quite well.
The midfielder believes Michael O'Neill's men had chances to get back into the game and insists the Hoops never gave up – something he says 'isn't in their nature'.
At 3-0 down the Hoops were awarded a penalty after Spaniard Cesar Navas fouled Gary Twigg.
Up stepped O’Donnell but he tragically saw his spot kick saved by Sergei Ryzhikov in the Kazan goal.
Speaking to Extratime.ie after Thursday's game O'Donnell was trying not to be too downbeat about the result – or about missing that 62nd minute penalty.
He said “They a very good side but I think that we coped well and I don't think that we caved in.
"We still created plenty of chances in the second half, I had a could chance with a header but it just didn't happen.
“If I had scored the penalty it would have put a bit more respectability on the score but these things happen," he declared.
O'Donnell of course scored the historic penalty against Partizan Belgrade which landed Rovers in the group stages of the Europa League.
Next up for Rovers on their Europa League adventure is a trip to London take on Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane.
The midfielder believes Michael O'Neill's men had chances to get back into the game and insists the Hoops never gave up – something he says 'isn't in their nature'.
At 3-0 down the Hoops were awarded a penalty after Spaniard Cesar Navas fouled Gary Twigg.
Up stepped O’Donnell but he tragically saw his spot kick saved by Sergei Ryzhikov in the Kazan goal.
Speaking to Extratime.ie after Thursday's game O'Donnell was trying not to be too downbeat about the result – or about missing that 62nd minute penalty.
He said “They a very good side but I think that we coped well and I don't think that we caved in.
"We still created plenty of chances in the second half, I had a could chance with a header but it just didn't happen.
“If I had scored the penalty it would have put a bit more respectability on the score but these things happen," he declared.
O'Donnell of course scored the historic penalty against Partizan Belgrade which landed Rovers in the group stages of the Europa League.
Next up for Rovers on their Europa League adventure is a trip to London take on Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane.
About Frankie Lally
Frankie Lally writes for a number of publications. You can contact Frankie on Twitter at @FrankieLally
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