Heimir Hallgrímsson struck a defiant tone yesterday as he claimed the World Cup fate of his injury-ravaged Ireland squad remains in their own hands.
His team need an improbable set of results, and likely a favour from Armenia when they host Portugal next week, to finish second in the group and make the play-offs for a place in North America next summer. But the Irish boss insists that it can still be achieved.
Roma’s Evan Ferguson, who has scored three of Ireland’s four goals in the lacklustre campaign, has been included in the squad for the final two qualifiers — at home to Portugal next Thursday before facing Hungary in Budapest the following Sunday — even though he missed last night’s Europa League clash with Rangers as he comes back from an ankle problem.
Johnny Kenny of Celtic celebrates scoring during the Premier Sports Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and Rangers. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic’s Johnny Kenny, who is in goal-scoring form, only made the standby list while the dearth of fit left-backs led to the leftfield selection of Kevin O’Toole, an unheralded 26-year-old with New York City in the MLS.
However, Hallgrímsson remains determined to strike an optimistic tone, believing his team can still make the World Cup if they build on the solid defensive display in their 1-0 defeat in Lisbon. ‘At least we have it in our hands. So why be negative?’ the Icelander said. ‘Two wins and we are there. Is it going to be easy? No, it’s never going to be easy against a team that is ranked above us.
‘The fans are optimistic and show that they’re supportive. From good performances, we build on that. We played two games, a difficult one away in Portugal (and at home to Armenia), and conceded 0.5 goals from these two games. If that’s the norm, that would be enough to qualify for any team. So, if we keep on building and then work our way from that.
Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
‘My belief is that we need to always secure defensive things first and then build from that. I think that’s the way forward for Ireland, whether it’s for me or someone else, but that’s the way forward,’ the coach said.
‘This is what I think, seeing the big picture. I know others would disagree and want to do something different. I totally respect that. But if you want to win the dance competition, and also would like to be the most beautiful girl on the dance floor, it kind of messes up with the other thing. Sometimes, you have to pick and choose.’
Hallgrímsson’s contract only runs until the end of the World Cup campaign, so there is every chance he won’t be at the helm to drive the way forward, but the manager was adamant that he will be in charge until next summer.
Heimir Hallgrimsson. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
‘My focus is I’m going to stay here until June, at least, or July,’ he insisted. ‘I’m not letting anything else distract that because then I’m not doing my job. I’m optimistic but also a realist. So, yeah, I’ll do the best I can and then the future will tell what will happen.’
And while Ireland began the campaign with many of their players starting regularly at club level, now it is the opposite with many struggling for form and with injury. Hallgrímsson hopes that they will turn it on for the national team, though.
‘Many of our players are struggling at the moment not playing well for the clubs, even fighting for minutes. It’s a different situation from September when we had everyone playing and scoring, man-of-the-match performances.’