Former Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney believes Ireland must start playing a style of football that is on par with the 21st century.
Delaney joined this morning's OTB AM to speak about McCarthy's Ireland side ahead of this morning's EURO 2020 playoff draw.
The former Ireland international is adamant Mick McCarthy's side are not competing to the level required to compete qualify for major tournaments, despite not being amongst the 'giants' of European football in their qualifying groups.
"We need to join the 21st century ... it's not a personal attack on Mick McCarthy, but football has moved forward,' he said.
He says things couldn't have been any worse than the conclusion of Martin O'Neill's tenure in charge of Ireland but says improvement is paramount.
"If you set the bar at the ends of Martin O'Neill's era, then yes Mick has improved it but I think we as a nation need to start taking ourselves more seriously - believe in ourselves a little bit more,' added the former defender.
"Football has moved forward; it keeps moving. We are now a tier 3 nation, a pot three nation - and the pot 4 teams, the likes of Georgia are now improving all the time. I remember ten year's ago when we played Georgia we'd be very disappointed if we didn't take six points. Now, people are saying Georgia area really good side and difficult to beat - that's because they are progressing and we are standing still.
Former Crystal Palace defender Delaney insists Ireland need to catch up with a style of play that is progressive in the 21st century but feels that is not happening under the current manager.
"We have to join the 21st century of football nations; we have to join the plan of progression and playing football the right way,' underlined the 38-year-old.
Delaney thinks McCarthy's tactics do not suffice with the current squad and players the manager has at his disposal.
"When Mick McCarthy applies the tactics he applies, and doesn't have a 'Robbie Keane' at the end of it to put the ball in the back of the net, to finish it off the way we used to. I think we are then just banging our heads off a brick wall."
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