'Last summer it was all up in the air' but Ireland now building under Heimir Hallgrimsson says Nathan Collins
BUILDING: Nathan Collins speaks to the media alongside Heimir Hallgrimsson in Luxembourg. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.
Heimir Hallgrimsson was allowed to be an oxymoron of spontaneity and predictability when throwing open Ireland’s training session for public consumption.
Pre-match workouts in the confines of opponents’ stadium carry a health warning – Martin O’Neill famously wary of spies in Denmark – but Ireland’s latest manager is devoid of the paranoia that tends to cripple bosses.
What you see is what you get in Hallgrimsson. He won’t want praise for being prophetic in his observations after two games at the helm last September. Problems raised then have been addressed. Others remain.
How much of the blemishes he can remove by the time Hungary visit Dublin on September 6 for the opening World Cup qualifier will determine if he’s granted a contract extension.
Reaching the next tournament, Euro 2028, will be easier both on the pitch and through guest passes reserved for two of the non-qualifying host countries.
In the meantime, a feelgood factor has finally surrounded the team.
Two wins over Bulgaria, followed by a draw against Senegal they ought to have won, validate the Icelander’s methods.
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Should he celebrate his 58th birthday today by overcoming Luxembourg, optimism levels will rise again during the three-month break until competitive fare begins.
While an experienced manager like Hallgrimsson realises that perception can swifty dissipate, he’s got incremental improvements racked up to be trusted by the players and public alike.
There is a direction to this team, whereas this time last year none existed.
Lee Carsley’s rejection of the job and Hallgrimsson’s commitments to Jamaica led to a sense of purgatory, John O’Shea in caretaker charge for a job he’d no chance of landing permanently.
“Last summer, it was a bit all up in the air, wasn't it?,” noted Ireland’s captain Nathan Collins about that period of nothingness.
“Everything regarding Ireland at the time was up in the air. I just think there's a bit more of a base now in the team.
“The way the squad is and the way we have our manager means everything is solidified.
“We're building our base, growing with that, working from it and trying to create momentum for us to get better.”
Hallgrimsson’s decision to extend media access beyond the standard first 15 minutes presented insights as to how he intends maintaining that structure.
Luxembourg being ranked 91 in Fifa’s standings, the opposite numbers to where Senegal stood on Friday, broadens scope for experimentation but risks will be minimal.
Based on the training match visible, both Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott will return to lead the frontline. Dara O’Shea may step out to allow either Jake O’Brien or Liam Scales to partner Collins in central defence while Max O’Leary will feature in goal for his belated debut. Midfielder Killian Phillips is in line for his first start.
The latter’s inclusion raises the average height in the team, a pattern the manager is deliberating developing.
“You need to have that physicality and height in some games,” Hallgrimsson reasoned.
“It depends on how the previous game was played or if there's an in-game decision to add that strength.”
Hungary carries that trait in spades. Ditto Portugal, as demonstrated over extra-time to beat Spain in Sunday’s Uefa Nations League final.
“We didn’t need to watch the final to know how good Portugal are,” said Collins.
“Their depth of players is unbelievable but if we can do what we can control and the manager wants from us, we will create our own problems in the qualifiers against Portugal.
“We’re a completely different team to Spain and will create completely different problems and defend in a different way. We’ll frustrate them in ways that they won’t like.
“We know the standard and how good they’ll be but they have to know how tough a game it will be for them against us.”
Collins will be able to hatch those tactics with an Ireland teammate on the Brentford training ground.
He’ll have Caoimhín Kelleher behind him for his club too but it seems the Corkman will be playing for a different manager to the one who signed him.
“Brentford is a good club, in that whatever happens, they will have a plan,” Collins said about the imminent departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur.
"Every time I turn on the TV, I see it and can't get away from it, unfortunately.
“I have my own problems with this Ireland game, staying fit and looking after myself so I haven't taken too much of an interest.
“Caoimhín and myself have been joking about it but he’s alright. Brentford have people in the backroom, so there will be a plan. If he stays, even better.”
At least he doesn’t have to worry about losing his Ireland manager. In Luxembourg's usual commercial epicentre, Monday’s Bank Holiday really felt just that.
The serene backdrop will soon give way to a blitz of qualifiers and Collins can bank on Hallgrimsson to keep his gaze on the prize of qualification.
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