Hallgrimsson hopeful of turning the page with a fresh start from the Finnish

Ireland's new manager and captain are "sick of it" and ready to call a rain check on the negativity with Helsinki offering the best hope of a flash of positivity 

PAGE TURNER: Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Nathan Collins during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Weather conditions in Helsinki mirror the grim form of both nations but at some stage it must start raining goals for either Ireland or Finland.

This week’s build-up consisted of two strikers rolled out to the Irish media in succession, Evan Ferguson following Troy Parrott at Abbotstown on Monday, and yet the search for someone proficient in finishing endures. It’s not as though the service during the five blanks among six matches this year was plentiful.