Hallgrímsson bemoans second-half passiveness, but pleased with overall solidity

Hallgrímsson must avoid any goodwill and positivity being eroded on Sunday in the second leg.

Ireland's Matt Doherty celebrates scoring his side's second goal with Mikey Johnston and Troy Parrott. Pic: Kostadin Andonov/Inpho

Despite bemoaning passiveness at times, victory on the road in Bulgaria is one Ireland may reflect on as enlivening their year.

It will be November 16 in Hungary when Ireland concludes their World Cup qualifying campaign and a 10-game calendar that began by prevailing in Plovdiv.

Not simply the juncture at which their fate in the aspiration for ending a 24-year famine at the global showpiece, but the time for judging Heimir Hallgrímsson's tenure.

Firstly, he must avoid any goodwill and positivity being eroded on Sunday in the second leg.

Bulgaria showed why they've been consigned to League C of the Nations League despite a steady record against similarly level opposition.

Equally, Ireland displayed their superiority for the majority, at last reflecting where the core of the team operates across at club level.

Lest we not forget that, of the back five, including goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, just one player hasn't featured in the Premier League this season.

That outlier was Robbie Brady, who, at 33 years old, still exhibits the repertoire making him vital to the pragmatic approach underpinning this manager's era.

On too many previous occasions in this decade, disappointing performances betrayed the standard Ireland players participate in regularly. 

Defeats to Luxembourg and Armenia stung.

Ryan Manning may be on his way to relegation with Southampton, but quality and nous were evident from the bolter of Thursday's starting lineup - his first start in 17 months.

Josh Cullen seems to be travelling the other way to the Premier League with Burnley, and there was top-flight calibre to the perfectly weighted pass he delivered for Matt Doherty to head home the winner.

Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston both replicated flashes of the brilliance they've produced in the Championship this season, the pair of mid-20 operators harbouring designs of eventually dining at the top table.

Troy Parrott functioning as the sole striker is another portent for optimism.

He kept Evan Ferguson out of the team, while another Premier League performer, Jake O'Brien, also had to make do with a substitute's role.

Captain Séamus Coleman, until recently considered undroppable, didn't even make the squad.

"That is the area where we have grown the most," Hallgrímsson said about restricting their limited hosts to one real chance over the 90 minutes, their fifth-minute opener.

"In our low block defence, we are quite solid. We are not open in the middle because we directed their players to the outside.

"For the times they did make crosses, we dealt with them.

"If we want to beat stronger, higher-ranked opponents, we need to be really good in that area.

"So, I am happy with that. However, being passive in the second half was not the plan."

Where the Icelander also senses improvement eight months into his tenure is in choosing the right times to pick battles.

Ireland were noticeably quiet in pleading for penalties away to Greece and England, especially Ferguson at Wembley during a scoreless first half. He's pleased his players have found their voice.

"We call that game management. You learn that with experience, and it is something that the older players need to share and lead on. I'm happy they did, but you need to be clever.

"Don't lose control and keep your emotions in check . Sometimes we were too aggressive in wanting the referee to give us something. We need to manage our emotions and be smart."

That extended to Dara O'Shea avoiding a booking that would incur a suspension for Sunday's second leg. Changes are likely, but Parrott could retain his spot, given the momentum he's developed by playing and scoring regularly for AZ Alkmaar.

"Bulgaria hadn't lost at home since coach Ilian Iliev took over 13 games ago, but from our analysis, we knew they'd leave space behind, so we needed a good runner," Hallgrímsson reasoned.

"I think it was the correct decision to start Troy. You could see from his performance the sharpness from playing all of the time and in the Europa League against good opponents. He just transferred that to this game."

Hallgrímsson expects the wounded Bulgars to up the tempo despite Iliev suggesting the tie is effectively over.

"Sunday is a different scenario because Bulgaria must come to Dublin, score goals, and win the game.

"But I always think defending higher up the pitch is easier for us. We need good legs from the guys up top too, but we can take a lot of confidence from Thursday into the second game."