Hallgrimsson's shock message to James McClean ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Heimir Hallgrímsson has opened the door to a sensational James McClean return to the green jersey.
The Ireland manager explained that he hadn't considered the Wrexham captain because he was under the impression that McClean had quit international football.
However, the Derry native stated last year that he would find a call-up 'a hard one to turn down' - while he added: 'Never say never.'
Hallgrímsson is short on left-back options, with Robbie Brady currently the number one pick for that role.
Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan has been drafted in for the upcoming friendlies at home to Senegal and away to Luxembourg.
McClean will be back in the Championship next season after winning back-to-back promotions with Wrexham - and Hallgrímsson said: 'That was my understanding when I came - he was out.
'Obviously, we've spoken about him a little bit, especially when I went to Derry.
'He is a player of interest, really. Again, a character that could help us at some point.
'I think this camp, we were more looking at younger players, but obviously we look at him like everyone else.
'If he is better than the ones we have already, I would have no problem with selecting him. And I've said before, age is not an issue for me if a player is 16 and better than the ones before or 35. It really doesn't matter if they are better than the ones we have.'
Hallgrímsson hasn't watched the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, but he has an idea of what 103-time capped McClean can bring to a dressing room.
'I don't know the story behind his decision (to drop down to League Two) and what happened and all of that. I read up on his history and all the things around him,' said the Ireland manager.
'Interesting, it shows his strength in character as well, reading up on him.
'Yeah, probably the change (of club) was to help this team to develop and progress. And here you have it. So maybe that's a good decision for the club to take him and for him to go there.
'And he is probably now a legend at that club as well. Correct?
'In regards to us, I don't know him personally. I haven't spoken to him, but just caught up on him, seen him play.
'Like I said, what is he, 36? So he's not getting any younger. But if he's better than the ones we have, I would have no problems with selecting him.
'Again, it would have been good to have camps to call him in and work with him for a week.'
Another potential left-sided option is PEC Zwolle's Anselmo Garcia MacNulty.
The former Ireland Under-21 defender played every single minute in the Eredivisie with his side last season and was watched by Hallgrímsson, but he only made the stand-by list for the June friendlies.
'I've seen a few games. He's a promising player. Now, the good thing for him is he's playing in a team that believes in him,' said the Icelander.
'He's playing every minute in a proper league. A different style than he's used to, so he's adapting to the style they are playing.
'A left-footed centre-back, we don't have many of those. But (he has) probably more chance of playing as a left-back, but he's not doing that at this stage.
'He can play both, so if you look to the future, definitely a guy that we will have our eye on.'
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