Hallgrimsson expecting added cohesion from improving forward unit

Of paramount importance is ensuring the credit accrued from the first meeting with the Finnish isn’t eroded to leave them requiring a result at Wembley to dodge the drop into League C.

GET YOUR 'EAD ON IT: Republic of Ireland players, from left, Dara O’Shea, Sammie Szmodics and Mark McGuinness during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Finland brought their nippy Nordic climate with them to Lansdowne Road but a sunny outlook is being promised by Ireland.

Heimir Hallgrimsson knows all about cold snaps from his Icelandic upbringing and by snapping Ireland’s losing streak in Helsinki last month the Ireland manager has at least avoided skating off course early in his tenure.