Gary Breen: Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland are improving but they should be further down the line than they are
Manager's decision to not call up Championship players is a missed opportunity and attacking patterns need ironing out ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
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There seems to be a different energy around this Ireland squad, a sense that confidence is building as the World Cup qualifying campaign looms.
The arrival of new, emerging players who do not have the baggage of repeated failures will bring enthusiasm and change the dynamic but Heimir Hallgrimsson and his coaching staff deserve credit for nurturing the improvement in the environment.
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Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
"It's something we've come away from as a nation" - Ireland's Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea reckons Ireland have found what they were looking for - and if it's good enough for PSG, it's good enough for the Boys in Green. It's not reinventing the wheel either, more so a return to solid, old fashioned values that the Ipswich Town defender feels were missing. Results will dictate whether Heimir Hallgrimsson gets to extend his contract as Ireland manager, because his current deal expires at the end of the World Cup campaign. That means the FAI could be embarking on yet another managerial hunt in November, if Ireland finish third or bottom of a group containing Portugal, Hungary and Armenia. A second-placed finish would extend Hallgrimsson's stay into a playoff semi-final in March, and a final if they win that. And top spot means Ireland will qualify automatically for the 2026 showpiece in America, Canada and Mexico - but that's a tall order. It is notable how bullish Hallgrimsson has been in his belief that Ireland can qualify. He's not shying away from it and, in turn, nor are his players. Hallgrimsson has already said that he got Iceland to the 2018 World Cup with players he feels are not as good as the ones currently at his disposal. Stephen Kenny wasn't shy about making big statements about his Ireland team going into qualifying campaigns, but most of those were over almost as soon as they began. Hallgrimsson has restored a degree of pragmatism to the whole approach, and O'Shea is one of his most trusted lieutenants. And the significance of going unbeaten in the three games this year is not lost on the defender, going into tomorrow's friendly in Luxembourg. O'Shea said: 'We understand the way the manager wants us to play and how he wants us to be as a nation. That's the identity of us as Irish people too. 'Against Senegal, our reaction in the middle of the park, we lost the ball, we got around it. There were some big tackles, some big blocks. That's something that we've kind of come away from as a nation, which we should never - that's our identity, we're hard working people. 'With every successful team, the fundamental is hard work. You watch PSG in the Champions League final, they've got all the talent in the world but they worked hard as well and that's what got them there. We've that embedded in us as Irish people, so we've got to show that on the pitch and not take the moments for granted.' On Friday, Ireland were on track for a third win on the spin only to concede to Senegal eight minutes from time and settle for a 1-1 draw. But after putting Bulgaria to the sword twice in March, it means Ireland remain unbeaten in 2025 and O'Shea insists that's not to be sniffed at. 'There's obviously a mentality aspect of football and winning games and keeping that momentum going is massive,' he said. 'It's something we haven't really had as a nation for a while now. It's something this group hasn't had at all really. 'So it's important that we keep building and don't take the games for granted because before we know it we'll be in the World Cup campaign and right in the thick of it. 'You only get one chance to qualify, so it's important that we make the most of every moment we can. The manager believes in us as a group and he believes in himself. That's massive when you can feel the manager believes in you as a group.' On the club front, O'Shea is reeling after Ipswich were relegated but he is already the subject of fresh Premier League interest for next season. A clubmate of Ireland internationals Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor, O'Shea had a strong individual season and performed well in a losing side. Wolves, Leeds and his former club Burnley are all reportedly keen on making a move this summer. But O'Shea said: 'I'm fully committed to Ipswich at the moment. I've got another four years there and I want to get the club back into the Premier League. 'I'm ambitious as a player and obviously I want to be playing in the Premier League but I know it's not as easy as that. Whatever happens in football it happens for a reason. You have a journey and you've got to stick to that sometimes.' O'Shea added: 'I feel like I'm well capable of playing in the Premier League and I've got to get myself back there now. I spoke to the gaffer at Ipswich and that's the task he's set me - to carry on those standards of a Premier League player and still owe it to myself to be like that. 'It's really hard when you come off the back of relegation but I'm happy with how I played. I've grown into a leader and I play better when I have that responsibility.'
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's Kasey McAteer makes World Cup vow to Heimir Hallgrimsson
Kasey McAteer insists he has the X-factor to be Ireland's World Cup star, after nailing his first big audition. And the Leicester City ace warned Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics - who are returning from injury - that their spot in the team is now under threat. McAteer was the 'player of the match' in Friday's 1-1 draw against Senegal and marked his first start with his first goal. He is waiting to see if Heimir Hallgrimsson shakes up his team selection for tomorrow's season-ending friendly here in Luxembourg. But either way, McAteer feels he can impact the World Cup campaign when it starts against Hungary and Armenia in September. 'You want your name being thrown about in conversations around team selections,' said the 23-year-old winger. "I've created a bit of a stir, so hopefully I can keep that going on and get myself in the starting XI. 'I hadn't started before and I got on the scoresheet - that's what I wanted to come in and do. My first goal gives me massive confidence and hopefully I can take that in my stride and keep growing.' And McAteer added: 'My Mum and Dad were there on Friday, so it was good to see them score my first goal on my first start. That's a moment that I'll cherish forever.' McAteer knows Ireland will need Ogbene and Szmodics fit and firing if the Boys in Green are serious about World Cup qualification. But the Leicester attacker has no intention of rolling over and just handing back the jersey in September. Ogbene missed the entire season for Ipswich due to a serious Achilles injury, but is back on the grass and targeting an August return. He had become a key figure for Ireland, and so had his Ipswich clubmate Szmodics who saw the second-half of his own season disrupted by injury. McAteer has no interest in being a flash-in-the-pan star and eyeing the World Cup, he said: 'They're all top players but I know the qualities that I have. 'I need to believe in myself and whatever will be, will be. They are top players and friends of mine so we'll all be pushing each other for a spot. Sometimes in this game, it can be everyone for themselves but I'm sure whatever happens the squad will be strong.' McAteer had his own injuries this season and missed chunks of the Premier League campaign as Leicester were relegated. But he returned to play in the final five games and insists he will stay with the Foxes to get them back up. 'That's the plan,' he said. 'I've been at Leicester since I was eight years old, so I'd never turn my back on the club. It's a club where I've grown, I've loved, I've supported. 'I'll get away in the summer, get a holiday, refresh, regroup and start preseason for Leicester fighting and get us back into the Premier League, where we deserve to be.' And McAteer added: 'I know what levels I can get to at my best. Going back for pre-season, it's about getting in the shop window, into the starting team and getting us back to the Premier League.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Kasey McAteer makes case for Republic of Ireland future with goal on first start after Leicester City setbacks
KASEY McATEER is determined to ensure that he cannot be ignored for neither club nor country. The winger marked his first Ireland start with a goal 2 Kasey McAteer scored on his first Republic of Ireland start against Senegal on Friday 2 Kasey McAteer is eager to become a regular starter for Ireland And he is determined to build on increased minutes for McAteer is planning to stay with the Foxes despite interest from Sunderland, despite believing it can be sometimes harder for a player who has come through the ranks as he has done. He said: 'It doesn't matter. That's the plan. read more on football 'I mean, I've been at Leicester since I was eight years old, so I'd never turn my back on the club. It's a club where I've grown, I've loved, I've supported. 'For now, I'm fully focused on Ireland. I'll get away in the summer, get a holiday, refresh, regroup and start preseason for Leicester fighting and get us back into the Premier League, where we deserve to be. 'Recently I have been given the chance to play and I felt like I've grown every week. 'And you only get better playing football when you're playing every week -- that's a fact. Most read in Football "So hopefully I'll keep getting games on my belt. Get back to pre-season, after our rest, and then, yeah, hit the ground running, hopefully. 'There's a lot of senior players at Leicester and I respect that. Being home-grown sometimes it is easy to overlook players like myself but I've never stopped fighting. Former Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal launches scathing attack on old side while heaping praise on bitter rivals I've kept banging down the door to get in the team. 'I got in the team, my first Premier League goal and a few good results. It wasn't enough because we were already relegated but I can personally look back with a lot of pride. 'In the Championship there will still be 25 players in that squad wanting to play so I've to be fit and strong in pre-training. I know what levels I can get to at my best so they can see me at my best.' McAteer was reluctant to be drawn on whether boss The atmosphere around the club turned sour with the pair unable to spark an improvement in results following their arrival in December. He said: 'It's not nice playing in a stadium when there's a lot of animosity and boos. They pay their hard-earned money, watching us weekly home and away, but for myself it's about taking it and learning. 'Whatever happens with the management is up to the club to decide. All we can do as players is back the manager who is in charge. 'The gaffer didn't give up on us even when we were relegated. We all tried every week. As manager, we'll fight for him so let's see what happens in the future. Brian is a top guy. I texted him on Thursday night to say I was starting. He said good luck and he'd be watching. It's great to have a fellow Irishman at the club.' Right now, the manager he is most concerned about impressing is Hallgrímsson having found himself in and out of the squad as his club fortunes fluctuated. But, with Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene and Mark Sykes all absent, he staked his claim. McAteer said: 'I hadn't started before and I got on the scoresheet. You want your name being thrown about in conversations around team selections. I wanted to create a ruffle. Hopefully I've done that. 'They're all top players f but I know the qualities that I have. I need to believe in myself. 'Those are top players and friends of mine so we'll all be pushing each other for a spot. Sometimes in this game, it can be everyone for themselves but I'm sure whatever happens the squad will be strong. 'The manager just said: 'Play your game.' I mean, I know at my best, I can hurt teams, and I tried to do that. I got some good balls down the side. 'Afterwards, in the dressing room, he said I've created a bit of a stir. So hopefully I can keep that going on and get myself in the starting XI.' CLUB AND COUNTRY On his previous omissions, he said: 'It was explained to me that it's because I'm not playing at my club, that obviously the boys who are playing for their club every weekend, they deserve to play for their country. 'And I understand that. Obviously I didn't take it well, I wanted to be here. I want to play, play as many games as I can. 'I've regular contact with him, not just when squads are being announced. "But when I'm not playing, when I am playing, to see how I'm doing and stuff. And that's really good to get from a manager that's obviously behind me wanting to do well. 'When the gaffer told me I was starting I was really, really happy. And I just hoped that I would prove my best to this team, and to get my first start, my first goal gives me massive confidence. 'Hopefully, I can take that in my stride and keep growing.' His goal came after Matt Doherty and Dara O'Shea had gotten in each other's way trying to get on the end of Will Smallbone's corner before the ball was recycled by He said: 'I think it was flicked on by Nathan, I managed to keep myself onside, flicked it towards the goal. To be fair to the 'keeper, he's made a great save, but luckily for me, it's rebounded back into my path. 'I just took the touch and thought: 'Put my foot through the ball.' That's what I did. And, yeah, great to see that net bulge.' McAteer had his back to goal for the rebound meaning he had to swivel before shooting but he shrugged: 'I knew if I got the touch right, I'd be shooting in a nearly empty net. 'There was too much pace on it for the defender to keep out of the goal. So yeah, I'm really happy. 'My Mum and Dad were here so it was good to see them score my first goal on my first start. That's a moment that I'll cherish forever and they'll cherish forever, no doubt about that.'
