Irish fans surprise Heimir Hallgrímsson with birthday card ahead of kick-off
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson was surprised with a birthday card from travelling fans and took time to take a selfie ahead of kick-off against Luxembourg.
The Boys in Green conclude their international window this evening against the world's 91st-ranked side, but it just so happens the match falls on the Ireland boss's 58th birthday.
Having previously managed homeland Iceland, Hallgrimsson is known for his close bond with supporters and used to turn up to a bar pre-game to discuss team selection with supporters.
Although that ritual has not travelled across, the new boss has taken an understated approach since taking over as he regularly turns up to League of Ireland games and events without FAI handlers.
Hallgrimsson will be hoping for one more birthday present this evening as Ireland look to build up momentum ahead of September's World Cup qualifiers and he has named a mixed starting XI for the game, with goalkeeper Max O'Leary getting his first start six years after his first call up.
'I am really pleased for him. Travelling since 2019, that was his first meet up with the team, he has been with us, supporting, always positive, always keeping up the standard for all this time without having a cap, so I am really pleased he is getting his chance to show himself and shine for our fans.
Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson both start the game while Killian Phillips has also got the nod.
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The 42
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Yet the 26-year-old's stock appears to have fallen since a costly red card in the 5-0 defeat to England last November, with that Senegal cameo his only taste of international football in the subsequent period. But more than anything, Scales' absence is a reflection of Ireland's impressive depth at centre-back. Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea and Jake O'Brien all had strong seasons in the Premier League and while the trio don't have Champions League experience, domestically they are playing at a higher level.
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Heimir Hallgrimsson wants quick start to fuel World Cup dream
Heimir Hallgrimsson is targeting at least four points from the Republic of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia. The Icelander spent his 58th birthday watching his team secure a laboured 0-0 friendly draw in Luxembourg, which he later admitted was "boring" at times, in what was their final fixture before the competitive games start in September. A much-changed Ireland were far from at their best at the Stade de Luxembourg just four days after a creditable display in a 1-1 draw with Senegal, but Hallgrimsson knows the stakes will be raised significantly when the squad next meet up. Asked if they needed four points from the first two games, Hallgrimsson replied: "Yes. Four points would be good; six points would be better." He added: "I give myself that you would say we get a draw against Hungary and win in Armenia - probably it would be worse if it was the opposite. "Four points would be OK, a good start. Six is what we aim for." "It's the only sport in the world where a third division team can win against a first division team." Hallgrimsson will mark 12 months in his new job next month having presided over a modest improvement in Ireland's on-pitch fortunes - they have won four and drawn two of his 10 games to date, a return which had given him cause for optimism. Tuesday night's events came as something of a disappointment, as he admitted when asked where his team are compared to where he hoped they might be at this stage shortly after the final whistle in Luxembourg. He replied: "I would have been 100% confident two hours ago, but this is also football. "You can be a much better team and still lose a match. That's why everybody loves this game. It's because sometimes even with a good performance you can lose a game. That's why everybody loves it. "It's the only sport in the world where a third division team can win against a first division team. You can look at all other sports, it doesn't happen. "We didn't play well, we kept a clean sheet. If it had been a group stage, we would have had a point and OK, let's call that growth." Ireland did hit the woodwork twice through Nathan Collins and substitute Jack Taylor either side of half-time, but were indebted to debutant goalkeeper Max O'Leary for saves from Danel Sinani and Vincent Thill, and Hallgrimsson was particularly unimpressed with the opening 45 minutes. He said: "We were really disappointed with the first half. It was actually just boring, there was nothing happening in the first half. "We didn't play well, but we played away and didn't concede a goal, so even though we are not playing our best, if we can get points and maybe wins, that's a good sign."
