'We would like our players to play' - Heimir Hallgrimsson has say on Caoimhin Kelleher inactivity

“Whether it’s Evan (Ferguson) or someone else. It’s our preference. We would like our players to play. The same with Caoimhin.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher on the substitutes bench. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson admits he’d prefer for his frontliners to be active as Caoimhin Kelleher and Evan Ferguson are shunted to the margins.

Kelleher had racked up 12 appearances for Premier League leaders Liverpool until Alisson returned from injury to take over in goal last week. The Corkman has spoken of his desire to leave Anfield for regular gametime.

Ferguson – who scored the only goal of Ireland’s victory against Finland last month – reverted to an impact substitute for Brighton and Hove Albion’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Undoubtedly Premier League calibre, the pair - integral to Ireland’s World Cup qualification bid next year - still have yet to establish themselves as first-choice at their current clubs.

Kelleher’s need for clarity is all the more pronounced given Liverpool shelled out €32m to bring in Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia next summer.

Hallgrimsson’s 2025 schedule has been mapped out since Friday’s World Cup qualification draw.

Ireland’s Nations League playoff against Bulgaria in March will be followed by qualifiers against Hungary, Armenia and whoever emerges from the Nations League quarter-finals between Portugal and Denmark.

“We would like our players to play,” said the Icelander about the club situation of his charges.

“I will answer this question the same way whoever it is; as a national team coach, you would always like to see your players playing.

“Whether it’s Evan or someone else. It’s our preference. We would like our players to play. The same with Caoimhin.

“We don’t know if he’s going to play games for Liverpool even though he’s done brilliantly. Should he go and try to play somewhere else?

“It applies to everyone. For a national team coach, of course you would like your players to be playing all the time.” 

Hallgrimsson was loath to apply a prescriptive approach to those frustrated by their time on the periphery.

“It depends on so many things,” reasoned the former Iceland and Jamaica manager. “Is he in a good state of mind? Is he being developed at the club?

“Is it more beneficial to be in that environment than maybe going somewhere lower quality and playing some matches.

“It depends on who we are talking about, the club we are talking about, it’s an open question. There’s never one answer for everyone.”