Heimir Hallgrimsson: 'It would be kind of silly to underestimate anyone when we are playing'

DONT UNDERESTIMATE: Heimir Hallgrímsson has warned his players not to allow Armenia scalp Ireland in the same way Iceland and Ireland shocked footballing heavyweights. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned his players not to allow Armenia scalp Ireland in the same way Iceland and Ireland shocked footballing heavyweights.

Over the last decade, Ireland slayed superpowers Germany and Italy while the Icelanders pick-axed England and Croatia.

Icelander Hallgrímsson is now at the Ireland helm and, to emulate the feat of World Cup qualification achieved with his homeland, nothing less than victory in Armenia will suffice.

The nation situated on the Asian border have slipped to 105 in Fifa’s rankings after a year in which they’ve lost to Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Georgia.

There wasn’t a seat at the Republican Stadium to be had on Saturday when Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace crowned Portugal’s 5-0 victory over the Armenians but around half the 14,403 capacity – with 700 Irish fans – is expected.

Also down in Yerevan will be the temperature from the 30-degree heat of the weekend but even the 8pm local kick-off time will present conditioning challenges for Ireland.

Hallgrimsson’s minimum target for this double-header was four points, increasing the pressure to execute victory after Saturday’s comeback 2-2 draw against Hungary.

“I don't know about the past but the clear identity of how we want to play should be against everyone,” he insisted when asked about Ireland’s previous struggles, including a 1-0 loss three years ago.

“It shouldn't be up and down. Coming from a small nation, and we can say Ireland and Iceland are not the biggest nations, a lot of our wins came against higher-ranked teams that probably at some point underestimated us.

“So, it would be kind of silly to underestimate anyone when we are playing.

“I think we know from experience that we shouldn't do that - so don't expect anything to change in our preparation.

“We at least don't change anything in our preparation and I know the players won't either.” 

Saturday’s erratic home draw remains a talking point among the nation, especially how fragile Ireland’s defence was in conceding twice within 15 minutes, but the manager will appraise the window in its entirety.

What he’s eager to immediately stem, however, is the concession of the opening goal. Remarkably, this has occurred in eight of the manager’s nine competitive games in charge.

“I think as a group, team and players, you just have to approach the game in every phase that it presents and we can't let our confidence be knocked by a run of conceding early goals,” he reasoned.

“We know we want to change it and make no mistake that there's going to be a high level of focus to ensure we start this game on the front foot – that we're the ones who get the first goal.

“We can’t see this run as bad luck. We could have done better as players and must take that it on the chin. Quick fixes are necessary to avoid a repeat.” 

Hallgrimsson once again defended his selection of right-footer Matt Doherty to fill the left-back berth in the aftermath of his bungling start to the game.

He denied that the defence, with another left-footed player, captain Nathan Collins, on the left side of the centre, was ‘crooked’.

“If they looked uncomfortable, I don't know if that was because they were there or it was the opponent that made them at times off positions,” he replied. “But I don't think so. They have played in those positions previously.

“We're still creating our identity and that takes time. It really takes time to build a strong identity, to have everybody in sync.” 

Adam Idah is jostling for a start after another goal off the substitute’s bench while another entrant from Saturday, Chiedozie Ogbene, could get the nod.

Eduard Spertsyan is the opponent Ireland must shackle.

He arrowed the only goal of the opening Uefa Nations League game in Yerevan in 2022 and also scored in the return match in Dublin.

The attacking midfielder is currently captaining Russian title holders Krasnodar.

“Armenia have good individuals that can create problems on their own,” Hallgrímsson cautioned.

“They are a fast counter-attacking team, whose biggest strength is in transition.

“We need to be as good as we were in the second half against Hungary in defence - don't give Armenia spaces when they win the ball and try to win it as quickly back as possible.

“That’s the thing I would be mostly afraid of when playing them here in Yerevan.

“They will have more power at the start because of their extra day on us to recover.”