Irish dejection a sign of how far group has come, notes Crawford 

'If you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, the boys are on the floor after drawing 2-2 with Italy who are European giants. That's how far this group have come.'

BIG STRIDES: Ireland captain Anselmo Garcia MacNulty dejected after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

UEFA European Under-21 Qualifiers Group A 

Republic of Ireland 2 (Phillips 31, Armstrong 47) Italy 2 (Gnonto 45+1 pen, 90+6)