Hallgrímsson insists Coleman shouldn't let age stand in way of featuring at Euro 2028

ONLY A NUMBER: Seamus Coleman will be 39 during Euro 2028. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Séamus Coleman shouldn’t let age stand in his way of figuring at Euro 2028, insists Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Speculation has surrounded the 37-year-old’s future since Ireland’s World Cup ambitions crumbled on Thursday by losing a penalty shootout to Czechia in Prague.

The captain has made himself available for Tuesday’s friendly against North Macedonia but the Euro qualifiers are 12 months away. Ireland could qualify regardless of results due to a couple of spots being reserved for two of the four co-hosts.

Asked if Coleman, who also skippers Everton, can stick around for the finals at the age of 39, Hallgrímsson said: “Just because of a number, it shouldn’t be a reason why he should stop.

“He is the one that answers these questions. I think it’s just how he plays and how he acts in the squad that it would be good for us that he will continue.” 

Clearly the Icelander would like Coleman to continue, noting how he was one of the three players lacking club football to endure through the playoff.

“It would be his first move,” he said about any retirement plans.

Coleman has had very little game time for Everton but was a key feature of Ireland's qualification efforts. Pic: Adam Davy/PA

“At the moment he is playing at that level. We definitely gain from having him. Our gain is him being with us.

“So I would not ask that question because I think it’s unfair with how he is playing.

“Séamus played 100 minutes, Chieo (Ogbene) played 100 minutes of that game, Robbie Brady played 60 minutes of that game whereas he’d only 30 minutes of club football this season.

“That shows the characteristics these players have, that they will do everything for that green shirt. People asked questions before if they were ready for the playoff and they definitely proved they were ready.” 

Bar concussed Sammie Szmodics, and Jack Taylor unless he returns, all the other squad members are available.

The manager has no fears of placing his trust in the players who missed penalties, Finn Azaz and Alan Browne, or Ryan Manning who conceded the penalty.

“It’s tough when you’re playing on behalf of your nation to miss a penalty or to give (away) a penalty,” he continued.

“But it’s owning that moment, it’s not closing it in. It’s just for them as people. It’s tough and you can never put yourself in those shoes.

“We’re all different individuals, so how we cope with it is different. But for them, like I mentioned about a car crash, the best thing for those who missed a penalty is to ask to take the next penalty in their clubs and just get it over with and move on.

“It’s the same for all of us.”