Greece defeats were the killer, says Jason Knight

LOOKING BACK: Jason Knight also admitted the Republic of Ireland must develop a ruthless streak. Pic: Adam Davy/PA

Jason Knight admits the pair of defeats against Greece marked Ireland’s downfall in a Euro campaign they took points off only Gibraltar in.

Third-seed Ireland were guaranteed to finish fourth prior to their final game on Saturday in Amsterdam.

Netherlands got the win they needed to secure qualification with a game to spare and were far more dominant than the 1-0 scoreline suggests.

Knight was part of the generation introduced to the senior international stage by Stephen Kenny during his three-and-a-half years and is working on the basis of his continuity despite the generally accepted reality of his imminent release from the post once Tuesday’s mundane friendly against New Zealand is over and done with.

The Bristol City midfielder, who once again operated behind sole striker Evan Ferguson at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, declined to contemplate on what a new manager could change, instead reflecting on another substandard display at the conclusion of a disastrous campaign.

“I’m disappointed,” summarised the Dubliner.

“We wanted a good performance and result which ultimately we didn’t do. There were good parts to it. We just lacked a bit of creativity and cutting-edge up top.

We started well and it was quite even for large parts of the first half. There was a 10-minute spell before the end of the first half we were penned in and they took control. We were disappointed about the goal. It’s more coming straight through the middle of us which is disappointing.

“There’s no doubt they’re a good team but we can certainly be better in all aspects of our game, especially creating and scoring goals.

“Adam (Idah) must have been offside for his goal but those things aren’t falling for us. Look, we need to make things happen as well. That’s ultimately down to us as players.” 

Losing to Greece, 2-1 away in June and 2-0 at home last month, eliminated the prospect of Ireland even contemplating applying pressure on France and Netherlands for the two qualification berths.

Greece could join them in Germany next summer should they emerge from the playoff series in March they earned by topping their Nations League group.

“Greece was the turning point in the group and probably our downfall,” admitted the 22-year-old.

“They were the games we wanted and needed to win. We knew France and Netherlands would be tough games but we wanted to beat Greece.

“There were large parts of the games we’ve been equal in but the opposition took their chances and we haven’t. We defended well in large parts of all the games. Looking back briefly off the top of my head, we lacked a bit of creative spark and those goals when we needed to capitalise.” 

Six defeats from eight hasn’t shattered morale in the group, he declared, as the Kenny era approaches closure.

“No - confidence is good. We’re playing some good attractive football at times. We’ve fallen on the wrong side of results against good teams. France and Netherlands aren’t minnows of world football. There’s confidence within the group and definitely confidence that we’ll turn it around.

“My view is that the manager is still here and we’re treating it as so. The manager has been great to me and the players. We want to be winning more games for him but we’ll see what happens. That’s all I’ve to say about that I suppose.”