Heimir Hallgrimsson: 'We cannot rely on one or two players for an endless time'

LAYING HIS MARK: Hemir Hallgrimsson is laying down his mark with his selection for their upcoming games. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that taking one to know one applies when it comes to Heimir Hallgrimsson seeking his elusive enforcer.

He plucked a coarse description for that target during his first fans forum last month and the absence of bite was there for all to lament during his opening two defeats.

If the newcomer came across as Mister Nice Guy throughout the introductions, delegating squad and selection duties to his assistants, then the veneer has disappeared by his second gathering.

More of a scalpel than a machete was sunk into that initial squad by making four unenforced changes but it’s already clear that sentiment is being discarded.

It took Matt Doherty several years to reach the status of undroppable under Stephen Kenny and yet he was jettisoned from not solely the team but the entire panel of 24.

Culled too were Jake O’Brien, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson who, similar to Doherty, featured in the defeats to England and Greece.

Logic might have decreed Norwich City regular Shane Duffy or the returning John Egan would replace O’Brien and Coleman but a fresh name in the uncapped Mark McGuinness appeared on the roster. Hallgrimsson is belatedly attending club matches regularly and using his own eyes for judgement.

While his predecessor Stephen Kenny was renowned for blooding youngsters, the Icelander’s squad included just one player over the age of 30.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when Robbie Brady assumed the mantle of being his namesake Keane’s heir but he’s now 32 and recast as a defender.

Hallgrimsson’s sidekick John O’Shea saw enough of Festy Ebosele in direct combat with Brady in Tuesday’s Championship clash to deem him worthy of inclusion. He’s a contender to fill the right-back vacuum in Finland next Thursday if they ditch their wildcard of switching Andrew Omobamidele there last time out.

Experimentation was a recurrent theme during his press briefing yesterday, noting the tight turnaround before the World Cup qualifiers kicking off in the new year. That draw in December will map out Ireland’s 2025, stretching to the end of Hallgrimsson’s contract.

"When we fly above the now to see the bigger picture, we need to be ready for when it happens,” he stated.

“That could happen tomorrow or happen in the middle of a World Cup campaign when it is too late to research and trial players.

“I didn’t have any friendlies or trial games prior to coming in. Sadly, this needs to happen for me to see these players in competition matches. That’s the reality.

“We must find solutions and options. We cannot rely on one or two players for an endless time.” 

His single mindedness ensures an immunity to external noise.

Glenn Whelan’s barb about players not hurting from defeats was newsworthy for coming from somebody not just a random pundit. He won 91 caps, was part of John O’Shea’s staff for the four friendlies earlier in the year and scouted Greece for the new regime.

That was at the request of O’Shea, rather than the boss, as he wasn’t playing the diplomatic card when pressed on the flak.

“I don’t know Glenn at all (so) I don’t know what to expect but I wouldn’t have done that,” he said, dismissing the critique as invalid.

“I don’t think so. Every player comes to do their best. I want them to stake their claim and say ‘this is my spot’. Don’t give it to someone else. ‘I’m here, I’m gonna take the position and hold it for the next 10 years’.

“We have a pretty young squad so now is the time to step up and be a leader. Stake your claim and own your position.” 

Evan Ferguson is ideally placed to do so after accumulating further minutes since his couple of Ireland cameos last month. Just not enough for the manager’s liking.

“He’s getting closer and closer to it,” the former Jamaica manager said about his readiness to start in Finland and Greece. “He got 60 minutes in the League Cup.

“Like everyone else, we just need our players to play week in, week out. We’ve too many not playing on a regular basis.” 

One who is and is potentially an option is Liam Delap. How they’d like their Ipswich Town quartet to swell to five, were the striker to defect from England. That appears unlikely, even if Fifa rules relax, but O’Shea – who worked with him at Stoke City – is keeping lines of communication open with his father, ex-Ireland midfielder Rory.

“He knows that we are interested but it is always down to the player,” surmised the manager. For now, he’ll priortise what he can control.