Matt Doherty: Ireland so much better now than team embarrassed in Wembley

The Tottenham Hotspur defender has also confirmed that he is fit to face Azerbaijan tomorrow having struggled with illness during Wednesday's game in Portugal

Matt Doherty at Wembley after Ireland's 3-0 defeat to England. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Matt Doherty feels Wednesday’s performance against Portugal proved just how much the Republic of Ireland has progressed since a 3-0 defeat to Wembley last year which he described at the time as embarrassing.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender held nothing back in the wake of that dismal reversal as he called on teammates to take to the field with a greater belief at a time when Stephen Kenny’s side couldn’t buy a goal.