Let's become really difficult to play against, says Ireland boss Hallgrimsson

Heimir's hope: 'I want us to be a team that people hate to play against.” 

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson at the Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrimsson wants his Republic of Ireland to become a team opposition hate playing against.

Robbie Brady’s late winner against Finland ended a sorry sequence of defeats in competitive matches and they’re on the road again when facing Greece on Sunday.

Hallgrimsson confirmed only Mark McGuinness is ruled out of the Nations League fixture in Piraeus against a side who’ve sped to the top of the table with three successive wins.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference Saturday morning, the Icelander has reiterated his desire to have a settled team and also exhibit a defined playing style.

“I really don’t care if we are easy to analyse (as long as) we are difficult to play against,” he asserted..

“I said that about Finland - a pretty easy team to analyse – but they are consistent in what they are doing.

“They are just good at it and that is why they are difficult to play against and I want us to be, I would like us to be a team like that, that people hate to play against.” 

Greece’s 2-1 win at Wembley on Thursday was overshadowed by the sad passing of their George Baldock, a former clubmate to some of the Irish players.

“I think it will increase their togetherness,” said Hallgrimsson about the solidarity within the Greek group.

“It was huge anyway. They are a really good team, hard to break down and hard to beat. as you would have seen in England.

“Moments like this just brings, not only them, people together and makes you realise life is more than football.

“I am a little bit connected to this because he played a season for my hometown club (IBV) back in Iceland when he was 18.

“We, of course, give condolences to his family and everyone around. I think they will be the same team, maybe with more emotions. If that’s good or bad we will see tomorrow.”