MATT DOHERTY knows he can make things look easy – but that also can make things hard on himself.
The 33-year-old scored the type of winning goal for Ireland against Bulgaria on Thursday night that only he could score from right back.
With Ireland in possession and being put under no pressure in midfield, Doherty ghosted forward into a centre forward position looking for Josh Cullen to pick him out.
And with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov ill-advisedly racing off his line to intercept, ‘The Doc’ beat him to it to head into the empty net.
Doherty said: “Pure instinct. Saw the space, saw the opportunity. Just instinct to make the run.
“The running is the easy part, Josh had the hard part, especially on a pitch like that to put that type of ball in was top class.
“He (the goalkeeper) caught me on the side of the ear, it is still a bit sore now. I think their keeper will be fine but he probably wishes he never came out.”
It was the type of run that Doherty often makes and, more often than not, will be unmarked as he has an uncanny ability to go undetected by opponents.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson was also quick to point out following the game that it was Doherty’s quick thinking on a free kick that started the move for Finn Azaz’s goal too.
He may have been keen to do so to point out that he got his tactics spot on as Ireland won the game on the wings with Doherty, Mikey Johnston, Robbie Brady, and Ryan Manning key.
Yet look at social media before kick-off on Thursday and you will see that Doherty was far from a popular selection with many fans.
Everton’s Jake O’Brien is ripping it up in the Premier League at right back and, at 23, looks to be the future.
Doherty is 33, playing at centre half now for Wolves, and has always got flak.
Former Ireland right back Stephen Kelly was only voicing the opinion of many fans last September when he criticised Doherty for not sprinting back to deny a Greece goal.
The languid style that allows him to ghost forwards so effectively can make him look bad when he is trailing behind attackers going the other way.
Doherty said: “I understand that when I make mistakes it can look bad because of the way that I play. But I feel I can also make the game look easy at times too.
“I know Jake O’Brien is playing very well and we have a lot of options at right-back.
“As long as I’m playing well at club level, which I am, then I feel I can play the game at a very high level.
“I had to get myself back in the Wolves team, to ensure I was fit and available at all times, and make sure I stayed in when I got in.
“I’ve managed to do that and take the form into this game.”
NOT BOTHERED
Does the criticism bother him?
He shrugged: “No, not really. I don’t really know that much which was said. Just a few things here and there, maybe there was more criticism than I know.
“I’m a big boy and have said I’ll take all the criticism in the world. That’s not going to change my mindset or how I feel at all.”
Or did it sting when former teammate Glenn Whelan, who did coach the side last year, wondered did defeats “hurt” the team as much as they should?
Doherty responded: “That’s not true at all. It’s easy to say that but we’re professionals representing our country so of course it hurts when we lose. I don’t think that’s correct at all.
“We were losing a lot of games in bad ways. It was hurting all of us. None of us were leaving camps feeling any way good about ourselves from losing games.”
Besides, Doherty can take it as he is well able to give it when he believes that Ireland are not meeting their expectations.
It was ‘The Doc’ who said he was “embarrassed” by some of Ireland’s results in 2020 when they were struggling for goals and were losing games.
And, while pleased that Ireland have a 2-1 lead going into tomorrow’s second leg with Bulgaria, he also highlighted the flaws with Thursday night’s performance.
He continued: “In the second half, we were a little passive, and that’s a little bit disappointing maybe but in the first half everyone looked confident. That’s how we want to play.”
“It happens to a lot of teams. You’re ahead in the game and think we’ll protect what we have.
“You don’t intentionally do it – it naturally happens. You get a little deeper, players don’t make as many runs and lads are getting tired.
“We didn’t look as threatening but Bulgaria didn’t look as if they’d break us down.
“You go away, people might say you are a better team but you still have to play what is in front of you.
“And they did go one-nil up so we showed great professionalism and character. We didn’t let our heads drop.
“I just think lads are playing well at club level. A load of us took our club form into today.
“It probably gives lads more belief. Maybe they needed it, maybe they didn’t. But we’ve got the belief to go away in tough-ish conditions.”
