'There’s more at stake for all of us': Hallgrimsson rallies Ireland charges as Backa Topola awaits 

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, left, and Finn Azaz. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

From the fervour of a bustling Lansdowne Road to the eerily quiet outpost of Backa Topola in northern Serbia, the 24-hour difference encapsulated the uniqueness of this international window for Ireland.

All the anxieties of the previous 10 days were forgotten in the bosom of Thursday’s 45,784 turnout, their support undimmed even before the 12th-minute milestone of Troy Parrott’s goal of the decade contender.

Players could hear the chants of support as they retired to the dressing room, dejected at only drawing a game against top seeds Austria that they led 2-0 in. 

Their disappointment was mitigated by a realisation that their act of facing Israel didn’t alienate a chunk of their fanbase.

Time, as manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said this week, will ultimately judge them but the campaign group who led one final protest with tennis balls and a pitch invader insisted they did so to acknowledge Gavin Bazunu’s bravery in being the outlier.

All, bar Bazunu, boarded a flight to Belgrade at Friday lunchtime facing a different set of challenges on the fourth and last leg of this Uefa Nations League assignment.

They’re probably relieved that Sunday’s rematch against Israel isn’t, as the FAI originally intended, hosted at home but must confront an altogether different environment while seeking a second victory of the window.

Backa Topola’s remoteness, close to the Hungarian border, was foremost in the FAI’s choice of neutral venue. 

With no direct flights to any airport within 90 minutes, the travel difficulties for anyone considering a demonstration made it unfeasible. 

Additionally, this is a behind-closed-door match in the real sense. The cordon on the outskirts of the 4,500-capacity TSC Arena is firm and robust.

When the FAI trumpets the cost risks associated with boycotting the two Israel games, they never reference the additional security bill associated with maintaining them.

“I know absolutely nothing about the place,” confessed Hallgrimsson when asked about his familiarity with their temporary surroundings for their ‘home’ match.

“I just know that we’re staying in the hotel at the stadium. Also that it’s a one-and-a-half hour drive from the airport.

“I didn’t need to know anything else. It’s not like I’m going there for shopping.” 

If he were to embark on seeking purchases along the barren couple of streets in the locality, the Icelander is unlikely to get a warm reception from any among the Israel camp on his travels.

They remain livid at his reference to genocide during the build-up to this window, their degree of anger ramping up following a 3-0 defeat last Sunday in what was their home game in Debrecen, Hungary, 200 miles away.

Inflammatory post-match comments from captain Manor Solomon not alone outlined his resentment towards this Ireland team but his determination to avenge their drubbing. 

Handshakes will again by avoided by the Irish, along with that symbolic gesture of bowing their heads during the Israeli national anthem.

Hallgrimsson didn’t move to disarm the growing sense of this being a Grudge Match.

“This is not going to be a friendly,” he said, succinctly.

“It’s just another football match but there’s more at stake for all of us.

“That’s why I’m saying that we need to use every second between now and the game to recover, to collect energy and be ready for the game. Not only physically but mentally.

“It will be tricky and challenging for the players to be ready. The medical team are working day and night to get them fit and fresh for that game.” 

What we know from last Saturday’s contentious vote among the players on whether to proceed with the game is that eight players weren’t in favour.

That the team, albeit without Bazunu, did so on Sunday and there was no adverse reaction from their faithful would seem to offer relief to the dissenters.

Hallgrimsson wasn’t so sure, reluctant to talk on behalf of the players.

“I don’t know; you have to ask them,” he said about a squad that ceased media obligations since the first game of the window, last Thursday week’s 1-0 loss in Kosovo.

“I would hope so. We all feel more appreciated now than before this match against Austria.

“I think that answers the question because we feel more appreciated.” 

The crowd are certainly appreciative of the attacking verve within his unit. Main man Parrott lined up for the last two games, with Adam Idah and Jack Moylan in the supporting roles.

Idah, he revealed, is still adapting to the new function, slightly different to the position he made his name from, stretching back to his formative years in Cork.

“Adam is a massive threat for us going forward,” he said of a player, who scored against Israel and teed up Parrott’s sublime opener.

“He’s got power, pace, and physical strength. He’s clever at taking players on and fighting for spaces.

“The last two games he’s played for us was in a more defensive role, which he is not used to. So he probably needs more coaching from us to continue doing that.

“He can play as a striker as well. Versatility is necessary for national teams like us.

“Plus he is willing to do this job because he wants to play all the time. Just a brilliant lad, as well. He’s stepping up as a leader in this camp and there’s more to come.

“He’s played really well for Swansea City this season and I think there’s better days ahead for him.” 

As for Parrott, the hero of Budapest last November continues to flourish, bringing his tally to nine goals in his last six competitive outings.

“I worked with quite a few strikers over the years so I don’t want to offend all the others,” the manager said with a grin when asked to rate Parrott in the pantheon of greats.

“What we’ve seen with him is improving all the time. There was a question about where his roof is but I don’t see the roof yet because he’s continuing to improve.

“He could probably play 90 minutes after 90 minutes because he’s in good shape.

“He’s in a good league now in Spain. I just hope that he stays on the same path. He is among the best I’ve been around.”