The decision-making of Heimir Hallgrímsson is under renewed scrutiny following the performances of the previously exiled Séamus Coleman, Jayson Molumby and Festy Ebosele in Lisbon on Saturday night but the Republic of Ireland manager’s emotional intelligence is beyond reproach.
Hallgrímsson began the post-Portugal briefing with the written press by shaking hands with each and every reporter loitering around the mixed zone, most of whom were waiting for Coleman to appear.
“I know you are fans as well, not only journalists,” said the Icelander following the 1-0 defeat to Portugal at Estadio Jose Alvalade. “It is painful for all of us.”
Coleman rarely courts controversy but the Donegal veteran was disappointed by Hallgrímsson’s decision to leave him out of last month’s squad, an increasingly bizarre call that was already exacerbated by Matt Doherty’s lacklustre performance against Hungary.
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Coleman was fit, the 37-year-old confirmed, and he felt that past performances over a 15-year international career merited selection.
Hallgrímsson disagreed and Ireland struggled to salvage a point against 10-man Hungary before defeat to Armenia in Yerevan.
Coleman currently plays second fiddle to Jake O’Brien at Everton, and has only clocked 170 minutes for the Toffees this season, but his performance in Lisbon on Saturday night re-established his importance to the Ireland cause.
“I’m always impressed with him,” said Hallgrímsson. “I’ve said it from day one, you’re always asking me about him. We wanted to pick him earlier, but for reasons I’ve told you before, it was difficult.”
Hallgrímsson previously claimed that to call up a player who is not playing regularly at club level, even one of Coleman’s stature, could damage morale in camp.
The decision to replace the veteran on 86 minutes also seems flawed in retrospect as it forced a reshuffle, with O’Brien going to right back and John Egan dropped into a defence that was exploited by Rúben Neves’s headed goal in the 91st minute.
Coleman subsequently confirmed his availability to start against Armenia on Tuesday night.
“We’ll just see,” said Hallgrímsson. “He hasn’t played two games in three days [recently], but he’s fit and fresh. Not injured, but definitely he’s going to be tired.”
The Ireland manager is not concerned about the availability of Ebosele, who was forced off with cramp after his pace and trickery stressed Portugal down their left flank, while Chiedozie Ogbene was replaced due to fatigue.
“Festy cramped a little bit, but he will be good on Tuesday. Chieo was just tired, he was the one that was always counterattacking. There was a lot of energy that went into Festy and Chieo’s role and the same for Evan [Ferguson], who showed an unbelievable work-rate, especially defensive-wise.”
Operating as part of an 11-man low block, Ferguson barely touched the ball, never mind getting an opportunity to test Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
“It was a pretty basic tactical preparation because we knew how this game was going to be played,” said Hallgrímsson. ”All the players bought into it, that we needed to sit deep, defend and close spaces behind us, and then hit them on the counter when we had the chance. It’s strange to say it, but it’s an easier game plan when you play good teams like Portugal.”
Up next, on Tuesday night at the Aviva Stadium, comes a chance to prove that the 2-1 loss in Armenia last month was an uncharacteristic, collective lapse in concentration.
“If we would had won here, everybody would say, ‘If only we could have won [in Yerevan]’ so that game is going to haunt us anyway. We need to accept that and focus on the next task and that’s a tough game against Armenia at home. If we get three points on Tuesday, we’re still alive in this group, it’s in our hands.”
