Hallgrímsson hints at two-striker plan for must-win clash with Armenia

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson admitted his side "should have gone with two strikers earlier in the game" against Hungary. 

Adam Idah has scored crucial goals off the bench for Ireland against Bulgaria and Hungary but he could do without being classified as a supersub. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Listening to Adam Idah pine for being the main man does heighten the importance of him grasping that mantle if presented it tonight.

The Corkman could do without being classified as the supersub after bagging crucial goals in the last two competitive matches off the bench for Ireland.

Choosing a ‘shush’ gesture to celebrate his winner against Bulgaria in March was curious, albeit later explained by his frustrations at management for being kept in reserve.

He repeated the trick on Saturday night when the stakes were bigger – arriving on cue to plant a stoppage-time header that completed a comeback against Hungary.

That 2-2 draw elevates Ireland into a position of strength early in the World Cup campaign.

Dispense with lowest seeds Armenia tonight and, presuming Portugal don’t slip up against Hungary, the runners-up spot is at least notionally within Ireland’s grasp a third of the way into the campaign.

Idah has put his hand up to spearhead that charge.

Knee surgery kept him out of Ireland’s last visit to Yerevan, the infamous 1-0 defeat three years ago, but he possesses the attributes to stretch a defence still reeling from a 5-0 humbling by Portugal on Saturday.

Crosses are the currency which the 24-year-old trades in.

His presence on the pitch from the 73rd minute on Saturday coincided with Ireland escalating their frequency to a meaty sum of 47 by the end.

He was there to convert one of Ryan Manning’s sweetest deliveries three minutes into the six of stoppage time.

His winner against Bulgaria came following his 65th minute introduction, arriving on cue with six minutes left to volley home.

Watching the Armenians crumble on Saturday, the analysis decreed their young defence exhibited an aversion to clearing those crosses.

Portugal scored their opening three goals via that route inside the opening half hour.

Integral to Idah’s struggle for starts has been the emergence of competitors. Troy Parrott’s senior promotion came 10 months before his debut in 2020 while the generational talent that is Evan Ferguson thundered onto the scene in 2022.

With Parrott out of this camp with a knee injury, Ferguson has assumed the No 9 berth within the favoured system of manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Nobody could crib about that decision for Saturday’s opener, given the renaissance Ferguson has undergone since joining AS Roma on loan for the season.

His poacher’s instinct was there to appreciate with one flash of brilliance just before the break and his close-range finish just after it.

What hasn’t been proven decisively is whether Ferguson and Idah – both tall, physical strikers – can be accommodated within the same starting team as a partnership.

Evidence of it working can be traced to Saturday’s climax where Idah notched his sixth international goal in 33 caps.

Hallgrímsson offered a clue that the combination might be unleashed on the Armenians in what’s a must-win game if Ireland harbour hopes of a top-two finish.

“We probably should have gone with two strikers earlier in the game,” he reflected about the weekend back-up plans.

“Due to the number of crosses we got throughout the game, it was tactically good to have two strikers in front of the keeper, especially as physical and good in the air as both Evan and Adam are.

“But Adam rewarded us again by scoring from his favourite place, which is in front of the goal.” 

Ferguson’s return to status as first-team regular was welcome but his two Serie A games were seven days apart. Asking him to go again within 72 hours after a long flight could shade the choice in Idah’s favour if he was to retain the formation.

“We will see if Evan starts this game, comes or plays 90 minutes but he looks really fit on training,” explained the Icelander.

“His numbers are good again. He hadn’t played much club football when I came in last year so he probably played the most when he was with Ireland. We always knew the level of quality he could give us.” 

Swansea City will be the new beneficiaries of Idah’s quality.

As much as he initially didn’t want to depart Celtic, Hallgrímsson feels he can thrive in the new challenge.

“It was understandably tough that Adam needed to go,” said the manager of the deadline day move.

“He wasn't with us in the beginning of the camp because he needed to go for a medical and sign but all the credit to him.

“He's been sharp in training and I know it's a new chapter for him, so maybe he just starts the same with us.”