NORTHERN IRELAND GOALKEEPER Maik Taylor has said players who fail to turn out regularly are one of the primary reasons behind the failure of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Nigel Worthington resigned as the team’s manager yesterday after four and a half years in charge, as disappointing back-to-back losses to Estonia had put paid to their qualifying hopes.
And Taylor indicated that Worthington was not solely to blame for the team’s failure, telling reporters:
“We all have to take responsibility in some way. But a huge amount of responsibility needs to go to those who don’t even bother turning up.”
The 40-year-old also indicated that certain players’ indifference was hampering the overall spirit of the squad:
“I sense there is a lot more resentment among the lads who do turn up and put their necks on the line for the country.”
The player, who is currently without a club, went on to indicate that Tuesday’s game with Italy would be his last before retiring from international football.
