"It was very pleasing, in the first half an hour we were terrific.
"With not getting the second goal I thought we may have missed the boat, they started coming into it and had some decent half-opportunities.
"The second half was a reflection of the pitch, a lot of passes went awry and it was bitty on occasion.
"I still felt we did just enough to get the win. The second goal was a terrific goal to get the points.
"The pitch is not an issue, it is the same for both sides. In the Premiership there are an awful lot of pitches in a similar state.
"We just play on it, we don't want to be using it as any kind of excuse. We've got to adapt and learn to play on it."
Martin O'Neill
"John Carew was immense today. His ability to play the game is there for all to see.
"Since he arrived he has given us all a lift. Shaun Maloney did very well on his debut.
"Overall it's difficult, we have been beaten but I am remarkably upbeat.
"I feel the team feel better about themselves. Overall we are heading in the right direction."