Fuming Neil Lennon has ripped Northern Ireland for "pathetic" game management during their 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Bulgaria.
The former Celtic boss could barely hide his displeasure at the final whistle as Ian Baraclough's side suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in Group C.
Former Hearts striker Conor Washington had Northern Ireland ahead but a second half brace from Todor Nedelev secured the hosts all three points.
And Lennon didn't hold back with a scathing verdict as he watched his country come apart at the seams in a match they dominated during the opening exchanges.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said "My emotions are ones of anger... that was abysmal in that second half, absolutely abysmal.
"First half, Bulgaria looked like the worst team in the group by far. Northern Ireland had three great chances, and then they scored.
"They could have been two or three up at half-time, they came out for the second half, no urgency, and were totally passive. They sat off Bulgaria and invited them onto us, our game management in the second half was pathetic.
"With 15 minutes to go, we were 2-1 down and had not really been in their half. We got a corner, we take a short one and lose it, the ball is 50 yards back up the pitch to kill any momentum.
"It seems to me they lost their way completely, no leadership, the gaps between the back three, the midfield and front two was all over the place in the second half. We deserved to lose."
That defeat leaves Northern Ireland battling it out with Lithuania in a bid to avoid finishing bottom of a World Cup qualifying section that sees Italy and Switzerland juking it out for top spot.
