Hallgrímsson to meet with Szmodics following recent striker controversy

Derby County's Sammie Szmodics has come under some criticism in recent months from Irish fans. Pic: Bruce Rollinson/PA

Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson will meet with Sammie Szmodics today in Derby after the attacker endured a bout of controversy for club and country in recent months.

The 30-year-old was loaned to Derby County last month after his Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna insisted it was for the benefit of their dressing room culture.

Rumours of a row with his Ireland teammate Kasey McAteer being the cause of the rift have been downplayed.

It followed on from Szmodics hitting back at “keyboard warriors” surrounding his unavailability for Ireland.

He won the last of his 11 caps in the World Cup qualification opener last September, starting against the team he was also eligible for, Hungary, in the 2-2 draw.

Sections of Irish fans questioned the English-born player’s commitment when he’d reappear in Ipswich’s matchday squad immediately after international breaks he’d been ruled out of through injury.

“The last two weeks have been nothing shy of ridiculous the amount of hate messages me and my family have received over the recent international football concerns,” he said in October.

“Injury comes with playing games and rest is so important otherwise things like this happen. Question my ability and performance but never question my professionalism.” 

The Ireland manager declined to comment on McKenna’s comments when asked at the Nations League draw three weeks ago on the basis that he “didn’t have the deep knowledge on it.” 

Szmodics, who has started four Championship games in a row since reuniting with John Eustace at Derby, is in line to be recalled for Ireland’s World Cup playoff semi-final against Czechia on March 26.

Striking options have shrunk by injuries to Adam Idah and Evan Ferguson. West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston will also be ruled out once scans on the ankle injury he sustained over the weekend confirm the prognosis.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is predicting the return of Séamus Coleman from a ‘nick’ he picked up that ruled him out of Everton’s squad for Saturday’s win at Newcastle United.

"Séamus won't be available for this game (against Burnley on Tuesday) but we're hoping it's not going to be too long," Moyes said.

Coleman’s last outing was November's trip to Manchester United, where his latest injury forced him off after just 10 minutes.