Hallgrimsson praises Irish defence but sees room for improvement ahead of World Cup qualifiers

The Ireland manager described Kasey McAteer as "a clever footballer".

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and Killian Phillips after the game against Senegal. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has lauded his team’s ability to stifle a “world-class” Senegal team, but warned that work still needs to be done ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia.

The Boys in Green led 1-0 at half-time courtesy of a Kasey McAteer goal on Friday night, his first in his first start for his country, but conceded a controversial 82nd minute equalizer to Ismail Sarr with questions over an earlier offside inside the box.

The visitors had the better of the second-half after an impressive first 45 from Ireland, forcing Caoimhin Kelleher into more work, but this was undoubtedly another small step forward for an Irish side finding its feet under the Icelandic manager.

“Our collective defence was good. We must recognise that this is a world-class team, unbeaten in 22, 23 games now, number 19 on the FIFA ranking, and we at times when we were defending without the ball made them look quite average.

“But mostly happy that they didn’t create a whole lot of scoring chances. Caoimh made one or two good saves but apart from that I don’t think he needed to do too much in this game and that is pleasing.

“To be able to play against such a strong attacking team, with so much individual quality, and not concede a lot of goalscoring chances.” 

Hallgrimsson spoke of the low confidence levels he detected when taking charge originally but said that he has seen signs of this improving within the squad. That doesn’t equate to job done. Not by any means.

“The decisions at this level need to be quick. You need to be quick deciding what to do and act quickly. If you are too late you are always punished at this level. What I said about defence, being in structure, closing spaces, these things need to happen quicker.” 

Conceding from a cross was an example of this.

“Again, conceding goals from crosses too many times and in this case we were too passive in the cross. We didn’t attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing.” 

This is paramount for an Irish team which he said with some honesty is “not one of the best teams in the world”. They will need to defend for long periods against sides that are technically better so defensive shape and application is key.

That said, they did play some decent football themselves.

Most impressive of all was McAteer who was named man of the match shortly before the end of this 1-1 friendly draw and Hallgrimsson was delighted that a player was able to grasp his big opportunity with both hands.

“If you have watched Kasey he has got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his progress in his club and he brought that now into the national team. That is always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players.

“It was his first start for Ireland? So a really good first start for him. No, he is a confident player on the ball. He has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him one-on-one that is his strength.

“He is just a clever footballer with a good footballing brain. Knows where to pass the ball etc.”