Stephen Bradley hammers Heimir Hallgrímsson over LOI player career advice

HEIMIR TIME: Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has hammered comments made by Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has slammed Heimir Hallgrímsson suggesting career changes for his European heroes.

The Hoops are within 90 minutes of reaching the last-16 of the Conference League, taking a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s second leg at home to Molde - grossing €6m in the process.

In December, the day after watching their league phase win over Boruc Banja Luka, Hallgrímsson was asked of any contenders from the Rovers team for his Ireland squad.

“Two or three really good performances,” said the Icelander.

“I’m not going to count the names, it would put pressure on the players or me, but it is obviously good if they are playing well all season.

“(It would be) easier to pick them if they are playing regularly before the national team comes together, but I’m pretty sure a lot of teams in Europe are watching them, ‘who are these guys’ going this far, doing this good in the tournament’.

“So probably there is a lot of scouting on those players at the moment so hopefully they will get career change from this success.”

Bradley was speaking after Sunday’s historic fixture against Bohemians, an opening league fixture switched from Dalymount to Lansdowne Road that attracted 33,000.

The Hoops boss, who led his side to four successive titles before Shelbourne usurped them on the final day last seaon, wasn’t indulging the feelgood factor, hitting out at the substandard national facilities and the attitude from the FAI.

"We have got an international manager telling my players to leave to have a chance to play for Ireland,” Bradley said after the 1-0 defeat.

“That's incredibly disrespectful to me and league and everyone who works every day in this league.

"That's the message that came out after our European run at Christmas time. I think that shows you the thoughts they have on this league.

"They will give you soundbites but I think that really shows what they feel about the league.

“His comments on our players moving to give themselves a chance to play for the Ireland team is absolutely ridiculous. It is so out of touch with what we need, it is incredible.

"I actually can't believe [the media] did not pick up on it and he wasn't questioned on it.

"We are trying to grow a league and entice players to stay here long, and improve on every aspect. And I am talking about everyone up and down the country, from volunteers to everyone who puts everything into it.

"And that comes out of the Ireland manager's mouth - incredible."

Bradley lost three key players during the off-season – Neil Farrugia to Barnsley, Darragh Burns opted for Grimsby Town while Johnny Kenny returned to parent club Celtic.

Asked if the stance of the Ireland manager was a push factor, he replied: "I haven't talked to the players about it but put yourself in our position…you are trying to recruit players and sign players and that is the message coming from the head of Irish football. It is not the message to be sending out."

"Imagine you are an agent sitting there with your player - 'You can stay here but if you go there you have a chance of getting into the international squad.'

"That's not right."

Hallgrímsson was appointed in July, managed the team for six Nations League games and his next matches are the Uefa Nations League playoff against Bulgaria next month. He wasn’t present at a League of Ireland game over the opening weekend.

"Not one bit,” he said about any communication from the Ireland boss.

“It is completely wrong how we can accept that as a league.

"This is great. Well done to Bohs in terms of putting it on, the attendance shows the potential and it is another step forward.

"But let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here; the facilities across the board need to improve.

"We need a real buy and them comments show a complete disconnect between the national team and our domestic league.

"No matter what they say, it shows a complete disconnect."