'Ireland teams were always been built big on set-pieces' - Smallbone lauds Hallgrímsson’s emphasis

The 25-year-old is certain Ireland are on track to mount a competitive bid to reach next year’s World Cup.

SET PIECES: Senegal's Ismaïla Sarr in action against Ireland's Will Smallbone. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Will Smallbone won’t be apologising if Ireland's bid to regain former glories relies on set-pieces.

They came within eight minutes of scalping the 19th best team in the world until substitute rescued a 1-1 draw for Senegal in Friday’s friendly.