Hopeful Hallgrimsson trusts Wembley 'trauma' a one-off

The Ireland manager remains confident of a World Cup spot following Friday's group draw.

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a FIFA World Cup Draw media briefing at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

It wasn’t the Friday the 13th factor or World Cup draw pitting Ireland against Dominik Szoboszlai and potentially Cristiano Ronaldo that had the manager feeling ‘traumatised.’ Rather Heimir Hallgrimsson was spooked by the mere mention of England.

Four weeks on from the second half collapse at Wembley which saw Ireland concede five unanswered goals, the Icelander shivered at the memory.