JOHN EGAN admits it was an opportunity missed for Ireland as they suffered a narrow defeat to Scotland at Hampden.
The defender put Stephen Kenny's side on course for a shock Nations League win as he fired home from inside the area in the first half.
But a Jack Hendry equaliser and Ryan Christie penalty clinched all three points for Scotland and put them on the brink of a Euro 2024 play-off spot.
Ireland had chances throughout a hard-fought encounter but couldn't capitalise as they were left to rue one that perhaps got away from them in Glasgow.
Egan said: "Very disappointed. I think we were brilliant in the first half, took the lead and didn't weather the storm early on when they got a goal early in the second half.
"I thought we responded well. I haven't seen the penalty back but it is a tough one to take.
"We had our chances so it is a game we feel we could have won as well. It is disappointing not to take anything from it.
"I think first half we came out of the traps well, our front two were causing carnage up top. We were creating chances.
"We took the lead, luckily for myself I got a goal, and we put ourselves in a great position. But we have got to start the second half well and not give away cheap goals that let them back into the game.
"The atmosphere in Dublin was fantastic from our side. Our fans travelled in numbers and the Scottish fans were loud as well.
"It was important for us to start the game and try and quieten the crowd and I thought we did that to an extent in the first half and took the sting out of the game.
"Grew into it. It is a game we will look back on and feel that we really should have got something from it."
