JOHN O’Shea has urged the Republic of Ireland to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch if they are to qualify for the finals of Euro 2016.

Martin O’Neill’s men slipped to their second successive defeat at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday evening when Turkey emerged as 2-1 winners, just as Serbia had done in March.

However, Ireland created more than enough chances to win the game, but were made to pay for a combination of missed opportunities and defensive errors.

Both O’Neill and his captain for the night were able to take plenty of positives from the display, but know the failings in both attack and defence must be ironed out if they are to prosper when competitive action starts in September.

Sunderland defender O’Shea said: “At the time they got their first goal, we had total control and that’s something we are going to have to learn very quickly, especially taking the chances because at international level, I struggle to remember a game where we have had as many chances and we have and only come out with one goal, so that’s frustrating.

“Look, I’d be more worried if we weren’t creating chances. When you are playing against teams like Serbia and Turkey and we have created as many chances as we have, there’s something going right.

“Whether we need a bit of luck to fall our way, a decision to go our way...

But we are creating the chances.’’