NEW Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted he was a “little bit daunted” by the job in front of him given his lack of preparation time ahead of next month’s Nations League double-header against England and Greece in Dublin – but he plans to keep everything simple as he gets his feet under the table at Abbotstown.
Hallgrimsson yesterday named a 23-man squad for the upcoming games – but the Icelander admitted it was very much the work of his assistants John O’Shea and Paddy McCarthy who’ve been in charge across the last two international windows.
Seamus Coleman and Evan Ferguson were included in Hallgrimsson’s first squad despite recent injuries while Leicester City winger and new recruit Kasey McAteer – whose grandfather hails from Belfast - is expected to win his senior international debut in this window.
Midfielder Josh Cullen and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu – both injured - are the notable absentees while there is no place in Hallgrimsson’s first squad for Belfast native Mark Sykes or experienced defender Shane Duffy.
“Coming in on such short notice to a big football culture like Ireland is pretty tough and a little bit daunting,” Hallgrimsson confessed.
But the 57-year-old former dentist didn’t wax lyrical about playing styles or passing between the lines in the opening throes of his tenure with Ireland.
Asked if he would encourage his goalkeeper and defenders to play out from the back, Hallgrimsson’s answer provided a snapshot of Ireland’s likely approach.
“From having this short time with the team, I think that is something that we will develop slowly,” the new manager said.
“It’s not something you can force, but this will develop slowly and probably be the last thing that will happen.
“On the ball, you can have the relaxed player playing the risky passes without losing it. At the moment, other things are more important than spending all of our time in build-up.
“For me, it’s about scoring a goal.”
Hallgrimsson has been encouraged by what he has seen on the training ground so far and is also buoyed by the fact the vast majority of the chosen 23 are getting regular game-time with their clubs.
“I have philosophy of how national team should play. I have my philosophy on what it possible to do. It’s such a difference having a club compared to national team. You don’t have much time. You need to keep things simple. You need to have continuity. You don’t have a pre-season, don’t have them all day every day, can’t train two times a day.
“At this time, we probably have three training sessions. How much can you influence if you try to over-do things? Probably you would fail.
“Start slowly and build from that. I’m lucky we have games in September, October and November so players won’t be away for five to six months and then come back. They will at least know what happened three weeks ago. That’s a good time to start so you can build hopefully, little by little.”
He added: “First and foremost, I looked at players in squad for the last two games as John and Paddy selected the squad for last two camps. I was looking at those players and asking about individuals. I’ve been trying to look as many players as possible. This is more based on knowledge of John and Paddy.”
Republic of Ireland squad (v England, Sept 7 and Greece, Sept 10):
Goalkeepers: C Kelleher (Liverpool), M Travers (Bournemouth), M O’Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: S Coleman (Everton), M Doherty (Wolves), D O’Shea (Ipswich), N Collins (Brentford), J O’Brien (Everton), A Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), L Scales (Celtic), C O’Dowda (Cardiff), R Brady (Preston).
Midfielders: W Smallbone (Southampton), J Molumby (West Brom), A Browne (Sunderland), J Knight (Bristol City), K McAteer (Leicester).
Attackers: A Idah (Celtic), E Ferguson (Brighton), S Szmodics (Ipswich ), C Ogbene (Ipswich Town), C Robinson (Cardiff), T Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).