Eamon Dunphy has launched scathing criticism of James McCarthy's performance after today's 1-1 draw against Sweden in the Euro 2016 opener.

In the RTE TV comments, the pundit made a withering assessment of the Everton player.

"It was a very brave performance and we improved a lot but we can’t go on with James McCarthy doing nothing in midfield. He strolls around like a traffic cop, pointing here and pointing there but doing nothing. He got his manager sacked at Everton this season. He is a waste of space, there is no other word for it," he said.

Statistically at least, McCarthy was relatively muted in the centre of the park with Glenn Whelan rating more highly.