'He's a smart guy' - Cristiano Ronaldo accuses Heimir Hallgrímsson of putting pressure on referee

If, as expected, Hungary win the early match in Armenia, Ireland must avoid defeat against Portugal to ensure they’re still in with an outside chance of a playoff berth heading to Budapest for Sunday’s final game.

HERE'S RONNIE!: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of a press conference at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Heimir Hallgrímsson of resorting to mind-games to spook Portugal in tonight’s penultimate World Cup qualifier.

The Ireland manager earlier in the day accused the visiting skipper of controlling the referee in last month’s reverse fixture – a late win for the Portuguese – and hoped Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg wasn’t similarly influenced in the rematch.

“He was not only controlling the referee, but he controlled the whole stadium; so, all the fans supported his actions and the referee just kind of played along,” said Hallgrímsson in Lisbon four weeks ago.

“I hope it will be the vice-versa now we are at home but obviously a player shouldn’t be refereeing. It should be the officials doing the refereeing.”

Ronaldo, who will look to expand his record haul of 143 international goals, not only rubbished the suggestion but countered by claiming it was diversionary tactics.

If, as expected, Hungary win the early match in Armenia, Ireland must avoid defeat to ensure they’re still in with an outside chance of a playoff berth heading to Budapest for Sunday’s final game.

Hallgrímsson’s contract is unlikely to be extended by the FAI unless he somehow accrues four points from the top two seeds in the final double-header.

“I think he’s trying to put pressure on the referee because, for sure, he's a smart guy. He knows where they can push,” replied Ronaldo in his pre-match press conference at Aviva Stadium.

“I've been in the game so many years and I know how the coach thinks and how they try to make pressure or take away the pressure from their players. That normal because they know if Ireland lose tomorrow, they are out.

“So, they try to make things around the game, to try to do things."

Another observation from the global superstar was the Ireland ploy being used to portray him as the villain to the sold-out 51,000-capacity crowd.

“What I expect is for the stadium to boo me,” he noted.

“It takes the pressure off other players, but I want to enjoy another game for Portugal.

“I agree with some of his statements, from knowing when I play badly or well, but I don't agree so much with other words, especially those of the referee.

“Even if the team is physical, the quality of the football has to prevail. These are the simple words.”

This will be the veteran’s final tilt at capturing the trophy to complete his collection – the World Cup.

However, the only qualifier of the four so far, he didn’t score in was against Ireland, the night at his alma mater of Sporting Lisbon when Caoimhín Kelleher saved his penalty.

Evidence of his frustration was provided when he celebrated in the face of Jake O’Brien after Rúben Neves pinched a stoppage-time winner.

Despite the Ireland camp espousing all week the virtues of being braver, the visitor's skipper doesn’t anticipate spaces being afforded to capitalise on.

“I think the game will be quite the same as in Lisbon,” he said of that rearguard action by Ireland that was moments from success.

“Of course, Ireland are playing with their supporters on their side, so it will be more exciting to the fans and everyone.

“But tactically, I think it will be kind of the same. They're not going to push too much forward, instead waiting for us.

“They will defend very tight and play a counter-attack but we are prepared.”

His manager Roberto Martinez, ever the diplomat, wasn’t chiming in agreement.

“I think we’ll see another side of Ireland tomorrow,” said the former Everton and Wigan Athletic boss.

“Ireland are dangerous on the ball in their attacking threat. They use their dead ball situations very well, from throw-ins in the final third to corners, as you can imagine.

“They have a system with three centre-backs, who have a lot of presence in both boxes.

“That’s a big part of this Irish team but if I was to highlight something, it’s the purpose and passion the players have to represent the Irish jersey.

“They are a well-organised, synchronised team and that’s difficult to get at international level, when you have only three days to work.

“The players are really committed, and the coach gives really clear instructions. What we saw in Lisbon was a very well- organised team defending but with a lot of intelligence as well.”

Game 15 of Hallgrímsson’s reign is important. Time is ticking on his scope to save his job and while the fifth best team in the world will pose a threat, the other side of their game is one to take encouragement. Portugal did, after all, concede four times over their two games against Hungary.

“We recognise a few weaknesses in the team, but we need to be clever,” said the 58-year-old with a smile.

“It’s our job to exploit the weaknesses. We've looked at all those goals (against Hungary), and they all tell the same story. So, you can all go analyse.”

Should his own analysis extract a result from Ronaldo and Co, Hallgrímsson will at least get a final shot on Sunday to mirror the stalwart’s longevity.