Tommy Martin: Hallgrimsson has copped that slagging off our soccer team is best way to fit in

The Ireland manager has come across like a mechanic shaking his head ruefully at a hissing engine, before saying he might be able to fix it, but it’s going to cost ya.

STARING INTO ABYSS: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Your heart went out to Evan Ferguson this week when he announced to the press that he had noticed a lot of negativity surrounding the Irish soccer team.

Ah bless the lad in his innocence, we thought. It sounded like a young fella on his first shift down the coalmine turning round to one of the old lags and asking if anyone had ever noticed this stuff they were digging was a bit dirty.