ALTHOUGH Heimir Hallgrimsson didn’t exactly say goodbye to Matt Doherty’s international future, it certainly felt like it.
Beyond the former dentist’s white smile, he’s shown a ruthless streak to his management style already, by dropping Everton’s Jake O’Brien, Preston NE’s Alan Browne, Cardiff City’s Callum Robinson, as well as Doherty, as Ireland prepare for back-to-back away trips against Finland and Greece in the latest instalment of the UEFA Nations League.
Doherty, though, was the absent name from his 24-man squad that caught the attention at Thursday’s press briefing in Abbotstown.
The 32-year-old Wolves defender was badly at fault for England’s second and decisive goal in last month’s Nations League opener, failing to react to Anthony Gordon’s run off him.
Doherty was later substituted in the 58th minute but came off the bench in the defeat to Greece a few days later.
Hallgrimsson rang the omitted players that were involved in last month’s squad. The Icelandic didn’t go into detail but confirmed Doherty was “not happy” with the manager’s decision.
Hallgrimsson didn’t close the door on Doherty returning but given how much importance he is attaching to every single camp and the need to establish relationships on the field, it feels a long way back for the 47-times capped Dubliner who has also struggled for game-time at club level this season.
Seamus Coleman is also out injured which suggests the manager sees the right-back position as one up for grabs going forward.
“I called Matt yesterday,” said Hallgrimsson.
“Obviously he deserves that. He was not happy, of course, he wants to play every game for Ireland. But I just assured him that it’s not like we are leaving him out, we’re just testing other players.
“Because of his experience as well, [we decided] not to bring him in to have him on the bench. It’s better just to give him this camp off.”
The manager added: “We know that Matt and Seamus have been here for a long time in the squad, our most experienced full-backs, our best full-backs playing at the highest level for a long time.
“But, unfortunately, they will not play forever, so we need to have a Plan B if they are not there.
“My job is to get this team to the World Cup in the US in 2026 and given that next year, 2025, if we end up in a group with five nations, all our FIFA windows next year will be official World Cup matches, so this is the only chance to experiment, to give players a chance to show what they can do. That is the reason we opted to go for other players at this stage.”
O’Brien, Browne and Robinson’s omissions were also a surprise.
But with every new addition, someone had to make way.
Luton Town centre-back Mark McGuinness received his first call-up after gaining a run of games in the Championship side, while Jack Taylor is another new boy rewarded for his encouraging appearances with Ipswich Town.
Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz is recalled to the squad and there are returns for Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath and West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston.
Josh Cullen missed Hallgrimsson’s first two games in charge last month due to injury and the Burnley midfielder is back in favour.
On McGuinness’s surprise inclusion, the Ireland manager said: “He has been playing really well this season, aerially dominant and really a set-piece threat and also a good range of passing, and he’s been really impressive for Luton.
“And then Jack Taylor as well, getting bigger and bigger roles at Ipswich, a good attacking midfielder, good on the ball, dribbling, running with it, just a quite good attacking player.
“Of course, when you have new players coming in, some need to step out, so from the last camp we are missing Will Smallbone and Seamus Coleman as well both injured, and then Callum [Robinson], Alan Browne, Jake O’Brien and Matt Doherty make way for the others.”
Republic of Ireland Squad - Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League - Fixtures
October 10: Finland v Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
October 13: Greece v Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
