'We will be defending a lot' - Hallgrímsson sets out stall for Portugal test

Heimir Hallgrímsson admits Ireland may be chasing for long spells before a sold-out crowd of 51,000 at Estádio José Alvalade.

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Evan Ferguson during a Republic of Ireland media conference. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland trained in the shade in Lisbon as the heat turned up on their World Cup qualification plight ahead of Saturday’s daunting test against top seeds Portugal.

Such is the standing of the Portuguese, fifth best team in the world and fourth in Europe, that the popular belief centred on Ireland jostling with Hungary for second spot.