'No need for wholesale changes' - Hallgrímsson seeking continuity after World Cup heartbreak

The Boys in Green must take on North Macedonia in a low-key friendly on Tuesday evening, after last week's World Cup disappointment.

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland men's media conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Fifa’s new rule of allowing eight substitutes will facilitate exposing fringe Ireland players to action in Tuesday’s friendly against North Macedonia but manager Heimir Hallgrímsson isn’t planning wholesale changes.

The debris from Thursday’s penalty shootout defeat in Czechia that ended World Cup ambitions was still being sifted through but staff and players were doing their best to resume normal business.