From lowest ebb to James McCarthy’s finest hour

James McCarthy has outlined the extent of his disappointment at last week’s showing against Belgium, admitting it left him feeling the lowest in his career.

The Everton man’s lack of match sharpness was exposed as the classy Belgians punished a couple of his errors to score twice on their way to a 3-0 win.

McCarthy was substituted by Martin O’Neill on the hour, raising fears the axe would fall for Wednesday’s concluding Group E fixture with Italy. Instead, Glenn Whelan was the midfielder to be omitted.