Ireland manager Mick McCarthy hails 'selfless' and 'brilliant' David McGoldrick after crucial goal against Switzerland

Mick McCarthy believes striker David McGoldrick deserves more praise than he receives as a centre forward because he constantly sacrifices himself for the team.

McGoldrick scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, rescuing a point against Switzerland with a late header that keeps his team interested in the fight for automatic qualification.

And, having initially recommended McGoldrick to then Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, McCarthy was thrilled to see him score his first goal in his 11 game in international football.

Even in his long managerial career, McCarthy has not seen many forwards so willing to run themselves into the ground as a lone striker than the Sheffield United player.

“I've had strikers work hard for the team before because if they don't do it, they don't play,” said McCarthy, with typical Yorkshire bluntness. “That's the way it is and Didzy knows that, but he has been selfless in his performances, he really has.

“When he was at Ipswich with us, he used to come over to Ireland and [did not] get a game and that's other people's choices. I've known him [for a long time.]

“I signed him from Nottingham Forest and he's just been brilliant for me. It's an easy one for me and I love the bones of him, he's a great kid.”

Ireland’s draw against the Swiss means they are vulnerable at the top of the group on 11 points as both Switzerland and Denmark have games in hand. Ireland travel to Georgia and Switzerland next month and will probably need to win one of them to keep automatic qualification in their own hands. They face Denmark, at home, in their final match.

“You've just seen Switzerland and it's going to be a hell of a game [in Geneva],” said McCarthy. “I'll just go to Georgia and try win the game and play as well as we did here.

“It would be silly if I said I wasn’t happy with our position. We are top of the league and I have to be honest, the point we got in Denmark was very good. So was Thursday night because they are full of good players, playing at top clubs. A few of our lads were short of games, but I admire them for keep going.”