The Irish players were booed off the pitch at the final whistle while a large section of the crowd also chanted for Roy Keane's return to the national team.

The Republic boss said his side must avenge the defeat, and the earlier one against Russia, if they are to reach the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

And McCarthy insisted he would battle on despite the setbacks.

"I've got a contract until 2004 unless somebody tells me any different.

"I'm not going to walk away from it, if someone wants to makes that decision then fine.

"I'll walk away from here with my head held high and my chin out and chest out because I've always done my best."

Ireland looked to have salvaged their first Group 10 point after producing a 78th minute equaliser.

But Swiss substitute Fabio Celestini scored a late winner to pile the pressure on the Republic boss. "I am absolutely sick about the result. We did not play as well as we can," said McCarthy.

"But maybe it is down to me. I could have accepted a point but I sent on players to try and win the game and we got caught at the back."

McCarthy admitted Ireland now face a real uphill task if they are to get into contention to qualify.

"Have a look at the table in the morning and that will show you how difficult it is going to be," said the Republic boss.

"We now need to win in Switzerland and beat Russia here."

'Getting stick'

McCarthy said he expected media criticism to intensify.

"I have been getting stick over the last few weeks. I am sure it will intensify now but such is life," he said.

"If I get it then fine - this is a results business and I can expect criticism for losing games. I fully understand that.

"Some of the other criticism I cannot understand."

Players devastated

Blackburn winger Damien Duff said they players were devastated by the result.

"We thought we could get right back into the group by winning here," said Duff.

"We gave it a real go in the second half although we know we can play a lot better.

"It is terrible to lose but we can still qualify. There is a great spirit but we have given ourselves a mountain to climb."