Hallgrimsson aware of stakes but football the focus as England roll into town 

In the job only seven weeks, the Icelander spoke of embracing Irish culture but the universal language of football is uppermost here.

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland training session. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

No better qualified candidate to extract the heat from a local derby than the Iceman.

Ireland’s first meaningful match since Greece in June 2023 just happens to be their first home competitive outing against the Old Enemy for 34 years.