Uefa Nations League Group 2B: Republic of Ireland 0 England 2
From Brendan Crossan in Dublin
IF Heimir Hallgrimsson didn’t know just how daunting a task of turning the Republic of Ireland’s fortunes around would be when assuming the reins, he does now after Saturday’s chastening defeat to England in their Uefa Nations League opener in Dublin.
The Irish were completely outclassed by a side ranked fourth in the world, as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish – two players who represented Ireland earlier in their careers - grabbed a goal apiece for the English in a painfully one-sided first half.
Hallgrimsson, who was only appointed by the FAI in July, didn’t sugar-coat anything from his opening game in charge – but hopes for a much-improved display against Greece in the Irish capital tomorrow night.
After offering fulsome praise to the victors, the Icelandic described Ireland’s performance as “passive” and “lacking in confidence”.
He insisted Rice and Grealish’s goals were concessions that “should never happen in any level of football.”
Hallgrimsson opted for a 3-5-2 formation that quickly evolved into a 5-4-1 as the English owned the ball in the middle of the field.
However, the 57-year-old insisted he “won’t be jumping” from one system to another ahead of the Greece game – a nation that beat the Irish home and away in Euro 2024 qualification.
The Greeks got their own Uefa Nations League campaign off to a winning start, sweeping aside Finland 3-0 in Pireaus on Saturday.
“That’s not my philosophy, to jump from one thing to another,” Hallgrimsson told reporters.
“There will always be tweaks, but it should be the same principle in how we do things, how we defend, how we attack etcetera.”
The Ireland manager was extremely doubtful of captain Seamus Coleman playing tomorrow night after hobbling off with an ankle injury in the 56th minute after an innocuous landing involving Harry Maguire.
And although Evan Ferguson came on as a late substitute on Saturday night, the injury-plagued striker is probably still some way off starting a game.
“He’s coming back and I’m really happy with him,” said Hallgrimsson of the Brighton striker.
“He’s doing the sessions with us and with his running numbers he’s done more this week than in previous weeks with the club. He’s improving all the time.
“Hopefully in another month he will be in better shape. The kid is willing to do the work, willing to do well. Hopefully he’ll start to play and that will quicken his fitness levels.”
Meanwhile, England’s interim manager Lee Carsley insisted the whole hullabaloo drummed up by the country’s media over his decision not to sing ‘God Save The King’ did not affect his preparation for his first game in charge.
“I fully respect people’s opinions,” said Carsley, who played 40 times for Ireland.
“It’s something that I’ve never done [sing an anthem] but I fully respect both national anthems.
“I’ve played in teams out there where players are belting the anthem out next to me but also I’ve played in teams where players don’t sing, or coaches. I don’t think it makes me or anyone that doesn’t any less committed.
“I don’t feel hard done by or aggrieved. I respect everyone’s opinion.”