Fulham defender Cyrus Christie has hit back at recent criticism from TV pundit Alan Shearer.
Christie’s performance and defensive duties in Fulham’s 5-1 defeat by Arsenal were analysed by Shearer on Match of the Day.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill defended the player in the build up to Saturday’s goalless draw against Denmark , a game in which Christie was named man of the match.
Christie has now had his say on Shearer’s criticism.
“Someone told me about what he (Shearer) said and I turned my notifications off on Twitter,” said Christie.
“I always seem to get abuse whether I play well or whether I play badly.
“Shearer’s got his opinion. He has to sit in the studio, he has to be positive and he has to be negative, and I was the one he chose to be negative about.
“The manager (Slavisa Jokanovic) asked me to do a job and I stuck to that, I had to play high up the pitch.
“There are a lot of pundits nowadays and that’s what they’re paid to do, to be negative. I’m not going to get disheartened about what he said.
“Shearer is a legend in the game, he’s been there and done it – not as a defender, but you have to respect the opinion of people like that.
“I didn’t have the best of games and I’ll hold my hands up.
