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

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.

Ireland’s goal came from a recycled corner finished by Kasey McAteer on the first start of his five games.

Smallbone isn’t a newcomer but hasn’t been around since starting both games in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s opening games at the helm.

They were a pair of 2-0 defeats to England and Greece, whereas they’ve now gone on a run of three wins and this draw.

One more friendly awaits in Luxembourg before the World Cup qualification group with Portugal, Hungary and Armenia consumes the calendar between September and November.

“I think the manager wants to create a winning habit and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup, it’s obviously the aim for everyone,” said Southampton midfielder Smallbone.

“Winning is the only way we can get there.

“So it is about coming out on top in the games we maybe would have lost in the past by a goal; switching it the other way to win by a goal and put an emphasis on set-pieces. We’ve to ensure we’re a threat whenever we get one.” 

Smallbone admits the regime differs to the one he made his breakthrough in under Stephen Kenny.

He said: “It’s been different. Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like.

“I think if you look at Irish teams in the past, they’ve always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to so I think that’s what we've got to get back to.

“I was only in Heimir’s first camp so that was very new for everyone so I missed the next three camps so to then come back in it was very similar messages but it all seems very clear and concise.

“That makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it.” 

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

“The lads have done really well over the last few camps, it’s good to see us winning games,” he noted.

“Performances have been really nice and maybe in the past we’ve got good performances but we need to make sure we’re winning to get to these tournaments.

“A draw is disappointing but a top nation in Senegal so I think it is a step in the right direction.

“It’s been tough for me. I’ve been out for a while and missed a lot of camps. It was frustrating looking on and watching so it's good to get a good chunk of minutes.

“I want to do everything I can to be involved in the squad in September and do my best to play as much as I can.”