'It’s like a car crash, best to drive again': Hallgrímsson retains squad for dead rubber

Ireland's Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has said his players have moved on from Thursday's disappointment. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

All of Ireland’s available players are raring to go for Ireland’s friendly against North Macedonia, according to manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Emotions were still raw in the camp following Thursday’s World Cup playoff semi-final defeat in Czechia on penalties but the Icelander insists they’ve moved on following a ‘closure meeting’ on Saturday morning.

Only Sammie Szmodics, who must comply with protocols after being knocked out, and Jack Taylor, due to a family illness, were not part of the squad training back in Abbotstown this morning.

All tickets for Tuesday’s game were sold in anticipation of a potential World Cup playoff shootout but while that takes place between Czechia and Denmark in Prague, this wooden spoon encounter must proceed due to broadcasting commitments.

“It’s always good to play national games, just to continue improving,” said Hallgrímsson, whose contract was extended last week to cover the Euro 2028 cycle kicking off next year.

“It’s like a car crash; if you are driving and you crash a car, the best thing to do is to go back in a car and drive so that it kind of wipes away.

“This is probably similar in that it’s good to have a game after this to try to correct what we can correct and move on.

“It’s a big hole in your heart after defeats like this. When you play big games you can have big losses, and we would like to move on from this and learn.” 

As much as they’ve tried to consign Thursday to history, the regrets sting. Two goals ahead after 25 minutes, Ireland were also in front during the penalty shootout before succumbing to the ragged hosts.

“I think 99 percent of what we did was really well executed,” he reflected.

“Big character was shown from the players in the performance, winning a lot of duels.

“A lot of them were from set-plays. We hit the crossbar from a set-play, hit the post from a set-play and missed marginally two really good chances.

“It could have easily gone our way like it did in Hungary last November but it went the opposite in this game. That’s what happens at this level.

“If it’s marginal we cannot control these things. But we just need to put closure on that game, move on, learn where we can improve, and again it’s not big things, it’s small steps.” That will be difficult when the 48-nation tournament rolls around in North America this June without Ireland.

"It would have been nice to have two months together with the national team and I said to Gummi (goalkeeper coach Hreiðarsson) on the airplane back that I don't know what I will do over those next two months.

“I have absolutely planned every day so now it's a big space to fill.” Changes to the starting team are expected against a team situated 69 in Fifa’s rankings. Liam Scales returns from suspension and fringe players will get their chance.

“I have been consistent in this,” he added. “We have been playing really important games so there has been no chance to try players and take risks - or whatever you want to call it.

“But now it’s not much at stake, so if I am being consistent, this is the time to give some players a chance.”