Jason Knight looks to rectify Ireland's shortcomings on the training ground

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight couldn't hide his frustration after the national side slumped to a second consecutive 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Nations League, with the latest loss coming against a de facto Ukraine B team.

Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko was the only player selected to start both the Aviva Stadium encounter and Sunday’s World Cup play-off defeat against Wales in Cardiff.

Knight, who was sprung off the bench against Armenia in Yerevan, started in Dublin, with his performance earning him the player-of-the-match accolade.

However, in this post-match interview with RTÉ Sport, he admitted: "First and foremost, it’s disappointing.

"We didn’t want to lose, of course. We started well, we just need to do that for a full 90 minutes and get the result.

"Maybe we can improve our ball speed and create those vital chances that we need"

"We took a sucker punch just after half-time and we need to start better at the start of each half. That’s something only we can improve.

"We’re really disappointed in conceding a set-piece, but we’ll have to analyse that ourselves and put it right on the training pitch tomorrow."

Going forward, the 21-year-old also suggested greater urgency and a more clinical approach in the final third was required.

"Maybe we can improve our ball speed and create those vital chances that we need," he said.

"I think we did create quite a number of chances, it’s just up to us to put them away."

An Ireland side bottom of the League B Group 1 table host Scotland at the Aviva on Saturday.

Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna were both on target as Steve Clarke's side dispatched Armenia at Hampden Park tonight, and Knight is aware the Ireland camp have no time to lick their wounds.

"We can’t let ourselves get too