Matt Doherty can still play for Ireland, insists boss Hallgrimsson

32-year-old Doherty didn’t take kindly to being dropped for last month’s window.

EXCLUDED: Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland in action against Jadon Sancho of England. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrimsson says he hopes Matt Doherty plays for Ireland again despite continuing to cull him from his squad.

The 32-year-old didn’t take kindly to being dropped for last month’s window – the Icelander’s second at the helm – and continues to be isolated for the final matches against Finland next Thursday at Lansdowne Road and the England rematch at Wembley four days later.

Doherty felt disrespected that a centre-back - Andrew Omobamidele – was chosen at right-back for the first defeat to Greece in September and predicted his immediate return to the squad.

He told The42.ie: “Obviously I should be in the squad, even if I’m not playing or not going to play I should still obviously be in there.

"But yeah, I’m patient. I wasn’t happy, but I got to spend time with my kids. I do expect to be in the next squad.” 

Doherty (32) hasn’t featured for Wolves since and remains out in the cold, as does Alan Browne.

“It’s the same as the last press conference,” Hallgrimsson said when asked about the exclusion from the 23-man panel.

“We want to explore other players in that position, He and Seamus Coleman were stuck in the starting XI so we don’t need to see or test him.

“I haven’t spoken to him and didn’t read the interview – only heard about it.

“All players should have the confidence to feel they should be playing. I’d be unhappy if they didn’t feel deserve to play. He has a lot of experience but these two camps are being used to explore.

Asked will Doherty play for Ireland again: “I hope so.” 

On Browne, he said: “Others are ahead of him. I watched him yesterday – playing really well – but it was only his third start for Sunderland. If he continues to recover well, he’ll have a bright future.

"This is our last chance to experiment. We want to progress as a team but want to give players minutes. We have no chance next year because they’re all competitive.

He added: From the last squad, there’s a few absentees, solely because of injury. Robbie Brady will be sadly missed having been one of our consistent players.

“Callum O’Dowda was with us for a few days at the start so it’s nice to have him back.

“We wanted to call Shane Duffy but he had lots of good centre-backs, This is a good time to see his character. The Stoke City players, Andy Moran and Tom Cannon, are doing well.”