Martin O'Neill learning the hard way

‘No pain, no gain’ would appear to be Martin O’Neill’s mantra as, going into Saturday’s game against the USA, his Ireland side are still looking for a first win since the memorable but now very distant 1-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff last October.

Since then, Ireland have drawn away with Denmark before suffering that heavy loss in the second leg of their World Cup play-off and, this year, tasted defeat in two friendlies in Antalya and now Paris, as well as drawing with a Celtic selection in Scott Brown’s testimonial.

But, on the back of another chastening evening in France, O’Neill insists the 2-0 scoreline in favour of Les Bleus was not a source of disappointment to him.