Hallgrímsson: Playing simpler football the key to comeback against Bulgaria

Ireland defeated Bulgaria 2-1 on Sunday night with goals from Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah. 

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, right, and assistant head coach John O'Shea after the victory over Bulgaria. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrímsson wants his Republic of Ireland team to build on their 4-2 aggregate UEFA Nations League playoff win over Bulgaria over the coming months.

The new Republic of Ireland manager told RTÉ that, although his team conceded first for the second game in a row, the positives far outweighed the negatives in seeing off Bulgaria 2-1 at he Avia Stadium.

“It seems to be some kind of a trend to concede the first goal from a first attack they got,” Hallgrímsson commented.

“Obviously disappointing, but good that we came back. I think at the moment we conceded, we were in good control, so it's a little bit slap and you can feel that we kind of lost that little bit of momentum with conceding the goal.

“Credit to the guys, they came back and played a little bit more simple in the second half and I think that was the key.

“We were complicating it, taking too many touches, playing it too short too many times.

“Once we got into the spaces and crosses and stuff, we created more. So all the credit to the guys today.” 

The decision to include Evan Ferguson at the expense of moving Finn Azaz out of position was put to the Irish manager but his answer bore the growing confidence of a man settling into his new role.

“No, I think Finn is so clever as a player, so creative,” Hallgrímsson answered.

“He can play whatever position we put him in but he's really, really the strongest where he's finding the pockets behind the forward players, whether it's wingers or strikers.

“Obviously, we would like everybody to be fit. And the good thing about today was two strikers scored and it's a big competition.

“Everybody is unhappy not to be playing, and that is how it should be but credit to them. They get a chance and they make their feet to the talking.

“That is how it should be.

“I think there are more players now understanding our principles of play. So, hopefully, we can just grow from now on. I think we've shown good signs of growth this camp.

“There's been a lot of good energy and togetherness in the squad and I hope that is a good sign for the World Cup in the summer.”