‘Everything can happen' – Hallgrimsson explains changes after Ireland stars given summer off before World Cup qualifiers
The manager
next
month, with
Josh
Cullen and Finn Azaz among the stars omitted.
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2
Heimir Hallgrimsson named his Ireland squad for the June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg
Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
2
Finn Azaz is one of the big names not included
Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
But he told those whose club season is already over in the
summer
holiday — as
He said: 'We expect to go straight from the season into the
'We expect to have no holiday next summer. I plan for success. If you plan for success then you shouldn't talk differently. I hope I'm not offending anyone but this is how we should all think — we are going there.'
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The team that finishes in top spot qualifies, while the side in second place will go into the play-offs, where Ireland would need to win two one-off ties.
Hallgrimsson added: 'Everything can happen of course. We can be unlucky in games, with injuries or whatever, but we plan for success.
'It's so different this World Cup. September, October, November, finished. We will know in just over two months and we need everyone fit and flying. One injury can prevent a player from playing in any group-stage matches.
'If we have everyone flying in September, October, November, we have a much better chance of qualifying.'
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And that is why he opted to rest the majority of Championship players who might have made his squad. Compared to nine in his panel in March, there are just three for June.
Heimir Hallgrimsson 'happy with character and discipline' in win over Bulgaria but reveals where Ireland need to improve
Hallgrimsson added: 'The only exception is
Hallgrimsson also highlighted that the confidence Ireland got from beating Bulgaria
home and away
in March can stand to the team when they kick off the
qualifiers
against Hungary on September 6.
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He continued: 'I know there hasn't been a lot of confidence in the team but we feel that is growing.
'Our last camp was probably the best one in that we felt it before the game started that there was belief, confidence and
energy
in the squad, and long may that continue.'
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