Matt Doherty has delivered a defiant message to his critics in the wake of his match-winning display in Plovdiv.
The Wolves full-back, who is set to win his 50th senior Ireland cap in tomorrow’s second leg in Dublin, says he doesn’t care what is said and written about him.
Doherty has shipped plenty of criticism during his career so far.
But he snapped back, saying: “For me to get 50 (caps), I must be doing something right.”
The 33-year-old insists that he has not been bothered by any negative remarks aimed in his direction.
“I don’t really know that much of what was said. Just a few things here and there, maybe there was more criticism than I know,” he said.
“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.”
Ireland's Matt Doherty celebrates scoring his sides second goal (Image: INPHO/Kostadin Andonov)
Rather than be stung by words, Doherty says it’s defeats that really hurt - contrary to remarks made last year by his former Ireland teammate Glenn Whelan.
Whelan’s comments upset some within the camp and Doherty said: “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 in any way good about ourselves from losing games.
“When we lose, it hurts the lads.”
A bang in the ear will also hurt - and that’s what Doherty got as goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov collided with the Wolves man as they challenged for Josh Cullen’s floated pass from midfield.
Doherty still managed to get his head to the ball and guide it over Mitov and into the net, for what turned out to be Ireland’s winning goal.
“He caught me on the side of the ear, it is still a bit sore now,” he said. “I think their keeper will be fine but he probably wishes he never came out.”
The former Tottenham man added: “It was pure instinct. I saw the space, saw the opportunity. It was 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.”
Doherty reckons the win means more than just the lead it gives Ireland ahead of tomorrow’s second leg.
“It probably gives the lads more belief,” he said. “Maybe they needed it, maybe they didn't, but we got belief to go away in tough-ish conditions, the pitch wasn't great, that is the same for both teams, but maybe they are more used to it.
“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.
“We got even better when they scored the goal so we should be pretty happy.”
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