St Ledger rues ´sloppy´ defending

Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger says careless defending is to blame for his team’s 3-1 loss to Croatia at Euro 2012.

The 27-year-old, who has amassed 29 caps for his country, became Ireland’s first goalscorer at Euro 2012 after nodding home an Aiden McGeady cross on 19 minutes.

But the Leicester City man admitted he was disappointed with how his team performed defensively.

“We conceded sloppy goals,” St Ledger told ITV.

“It’s unlike us because usually we’re pretty tight.”

Goals from Mario Mandzukic and Nikica Jelavic saw Ireland trailing 2-1 at the break, but St Ledger believes conceding the third goal so soon after half-time was the killer blow.

“Obviously we knew in the second half that we had to come out and that the next goal was important.” St Ledger said.

“Obviously, they got it and when you’re 3-1 down against a side like Croatia it’s always going to be tough.”