Latest news with #Gunnlaugsson
Belfast Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Gudjohnsen threat returns to Windsor Park as NI prepare to face famous Icelandic name
Days later they hit back as David Healy scored a hat-trick in a stunning 3-2 victory over Spain that was followed by manager Lawrie Sanchez threatening to quit before staying in post. When asked if he could guarantee there would be no repeat of the 3-0 reverse on Tuesday, Michael O'Neill joked that he was "glad that Eidur Gudjohnsen is not available for this game". The problem for Northern Ireland is that Andri Gudjohnsen, Eidur's son, is in the squad, and on Friday emulated his father's achievement of scoring against Scotland at Hampden Park as Iceland enjoyed a 3-1 triumph. "We were just talking about this," Iceland boss Arnar Gunnlaugsson said. "Eidur Gudjohnsen also scored at Hampden (in 2003), now his son did it a couple of days ago. I think if history repeats itself (on Tuesday) it will be a joyful occasion for the Gudjohnsen family." Gunnlaugsson, who took charge of the national team in January, spent a big chunk of his playing career in England with Bolton, Leicester, and Stoke. Martin O'Neill paid a reported £2million in 1999 to take Gunnlaugsson to Filbert Street, where he was a team-mate of Gerry Taggart and Neil Lennon, and helped Leicester on their way to League Cup glory in 2000 before joining Stoke. "He was an iconic manager, one of the greats," Gunnlaugsson said of former Northern Ireland midfielder O'Neill. "You always try to pick up one or two things from the best. I played with Neil Lennon and Gerry Taggart as well, really just a great bunch of lads. "We had a great time at Leicester, won the League Cup, but it was a quality time so obviously you pick the brains of the good ones and there are one or two things I like to use from my time at Leicester." Gunnlaugsson has sought to implement an aggressive pressing style with Iceland. His reign began with home and away defeats to Kosovo in the Nations League play-offs, relegating them to League C, but last week's win in Scotland shows a way forward. There are plenty of similarities with Northern Ireland too. Iceland enjoyed their best ever period when they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, going on to play in the World Cup two years later, but are now in a period of rebuilding. "I like the project that's ongoing here – young players, strong enthusiastic players, a lot of running abilities, so I'm expecting a really strong match," Gunnlaugsson said of Northern Ireland. "I think both nations really enjoyed (Euro 2016) and they're probably asking the question, 'Why can't we do it every other year?' Football is difficult, especially for small nations. "Now we also have a really good group of young players coming through who are playing at a really high level. "We try to combine that with experience and hopefully get the right mix. Is the World Cup in 2026 maybe too early? I don't know, but we certainly could give it a go."
STV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Man Utd fan and Iceland boss Gunnlaugsson sad to see McTominay leave
Iceland head coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson wishes Scotland talisman Scott McTominay was still with Manchester United rather than making waves in Italy. The 52-year-old former Bolton, Leicester, Stoke and Dundee United forward is a Red Devils supporter and was disappointed to see attacking midfielder McTominay leave Old Trafford to join Napoli, where he starred in their Serie A title triumph over the past season. 'Scotland have some really good players, who have performed spectacularly well,' said Gunnlaugsson as he faced the media at Hampden Park ahead of Friday's friendly against Scotland. 'McTominay has performed really well in Naples. I am a United supporter and I am not too proud of that at the moment! I was really proud of him when he was playing for us (United). 'United is based on younger players coming through the ranks and progressing so it was difficult to see him go. 'Him going and doing that well in Naples, while we (United) didn't do so well in the league…that happens in football, so good for him. 'He showed his character and showed a new side to his game. Everyone knew he had goals in him. He's really difficult to handle in the box. 'That's something we need to be aware of because he times his runs so well from the midfield. Once a midfielder gets goals and assists, the value goes up and up. 'John McGinn is a big player for Aston Villa. Billy Gilmour, I really like him, he is good on the ball and his passing between the lines. Andy Robertson is a title-winning player with Liverpool. 'Some of them have had really good seasons and others maybe a bit harder but being proud Scotsmen I expect a really tough game tomorrow.' Gunnlaugsson had a six-month stint in Scotland with Dundee United in the 2002/03 season. 'I didn't play that many games, but I enjoyed the golf,' he smiled. 'I lived closed to St Andrews and Carnoustie was close by. I loved the atmosphere in the stadiums but when you play football, our time kind of reflects what you did on the pitch, and my performances weren't up to scratch. There were pluses and minuses.' Gunnlaugsson took charge of Iceland earlier this year and is hopeful of leading them back to the level of 2016, when they beat England on their way to the last eight of the European Championship in France. 'I feel like we are in the 2013-2014 moment, where the guys were really promising and they were developing into a really good team that kind of exploded in 2016 and followed up in the 2018 World Cup,' he said. 'I feel like we are three years before the big time. Hopefully, it won't be as long as three years. We are not there yet but we are close.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
6 days ago
- General
- The National
What Iceland boss wants 'more than any result' vs Scotland
Scotland face Iceland in a Hampden challenge match as they prepare for the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September. Read more: But Iceland are a long way from their glory days when they defeated England on their way to reaching the Euro 2016 quarter finals and then became the smallest ever country to qualify for the World Cup two years later. They lost their last two games home and away to Kosovo and have won just one of their last seven matches. They are now managed by Gunnlaugsson, who once had an underwhelming spell at Dundee United before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent despite having 18 months left of his deal at Tannadice 22 years ago. He took charge of Iceland in January and will have to do without injured captain Orri Steinn Oskarsson for the trip to Glasgow. Gunnlaugsson said: "I want to see progress in terms of players understanding our system better. "We have this international camp now to perfect people's understanding of this system. "There are only a few sessions and meetings and the players need to be focused. "Of course we want to achieve a result in Scotland and get confidence into the group. "But more than any result and most of all, I want to see improvement."
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
What Iceland boss wants 'more than any result' vs Scotland
Read more: But Iceland are a long way from their glory days when they defeated England on their way to reaching the Euro 2016 quarter finals and then became the smallest ever country to qualify for the World Cup two years later. They lost their last two games home and away to Kosovo and have won just one of their last seven matches. They are now managed by Gunnlaugsson, who once had an underwhelming spell at Dundee United before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent despite having 18 months left of his deal at Tannadice 22 years ago. He took charge of Iceland in January and will have to do without injured captain Orri Steinn Oskarsson for the trip to Glasgow. Gunnlaugsson said: "I want to see progress in terms of players understanding our system better. "We have this international camp now to perfect people's understanding of this system. "There are only a few sessions and meetings and the players need to be focused. "Of course we want to achieve a result in Scotland and get confidence into the group. "But more than any result and most of all, I want to see improvement."
