DIDI HAMANN WAS full of praise for Seamus Coleman after the Everton full-back made a telling contribution to Ireland’s win over Moldova.

Coleman, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the Sunday papers, provided the assist for Ireland’s third goal and generally performed solidly.

After the game, speaking on RTÉ, former Liverpool midfielder Hamann said of Coleman: “There aren’t many better full-backs in Europe.”

The pundit praised Coleman’s defensive qualities while also highlighting how “clinical” he tends to be in attack, explaining: “He gives you an extra dimension going forward.”

Coleman also spoke to RTÉ after the game, and the 27-year-old former Sligo Rovers player lamented the Irish team’s sloppiness in conceding a goal just before the break.

We were very naive to be open at the back the way we were considering it was coming up to half-time. We know it was going to be tough after that, they got their tails up and we had to grind it out a little bit. We were sloppy at times, but James (McClean) took his two goals well.”

Meanwhile, after tonight’s other results in Group D with Georgia drawing against Wales, Coleman said: “The fans and media might have liked to have seen us win a bit more convincingly (on Thursday), but Georgia are a good side and they showed that tonight.

“All that mattered this week is six points. We know we can do better at times and we’ll be looking to improve on that next month because it’s going to be a tough game against Austria.”

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

Martin O’Neill was involved in a tetchy post-match interview on RTÉ tonight>

Ireland’s group wide open as Serbia stun Austria>