Latest news with #Heimir
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ryan Manning's back-to-the-future role for Ireland shows Heimir Hallgrimsson's intelligent judgement
One notable aspect of Heimir Hallgrimsson's tactical approach with the Republic of Ireland of late has been how Ryan Manning has been used by the manager. Predominantly a left-back at club level, the Galway native has been shifted further up the field for the games against Buglaria in March and last Friday's 1-1 draw against Senegal. However, the fact that Hallgrimsson has seen traits in the Southampton man that allow him to feature in a more advanced position should not be a surprise considering the roles the 28-year-old fulfilled earlier in his career. Indeed, former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Richie Towell played a part in Manning being moved to left-back when they were both on loan together at Rotherham United in the 2018-19 season. "I signed I think four of five games into the season, again on deadline day, and with me playing midfield I kind of went in there and he was pushed back to left-back," Towell told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast. "Ryan is a really clever footballer and as Heimir has said, he's cheeky as well. He knows the dark arts in football and like that, he knows how to play midfield, he knows how to play left-back, he can play that inverted winger. "I think what really impressed me (against Senegal) was his runs into the channel and as Stephen (Kelly) said there, it's definitely something that they've been working on on the training pitch. "Because twice Ryan made the run, once Jack Taylor made the run as well; they didn't get the ball but you could see the Ireland manager was applauding it. That's what (the Ireland management) wanted, just keep doing it and it pushed Senegal back a little bit and created more space for the likes of Adam Idah in them pockets. "You can see the triggers the Ireland manager is trying to create, when to press, what runs to make into the channel and it doesn't matter what the name on the back of the jersey is. Once they're doing what he wants them to do, then with a manager like Heimir, he's going to pick them." Manning's shift from left-back to a role further forward at international level is almost a back-to-the-future trajectory for a player who even featured at left centre-back for a time at Swansea. For former Ireland and Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kelly, Hallgrimsson's recognition that Manning can thrive in a different role is a credit to the manager's understanding of his players' attributes. "Heimir's come in and he's thought, 'Right, I want to look at what I have first and then put my style of play around what I feel best suits this group of players', and I think that's what he's done," said Kelly. "So it's really intelligent, it shows a great idea and understanding of football and how to get into the psyche of players and to be able to give them that confidence to do something slightly out of their comfort zone. "He's given (Manning) the belief that he can do that, that, 'I don't want you up and down on the left wing, I feel like you can come inside and be that player'. It's great from the manager." On Manning's interpretation of his new role, Kelly liked how he did not crowd central areas that striker Idah wanted to occupy. "It was intelligent play from him. His positioning was really good, little one-twos around. A couple of times going into that final third, he was disappointed not to get that last ball, once or twice when he was in behind and you just feel like just if he can whip that in, it was on for Adam Idah and (Kasey) McAteer coming in at the far post," he said. "But so much of his game was neat and tidy, it was clever. He occupied the space really well and the way he drew (Senegal's) defenders out to create that space for Adam to run in behind was really good. So it's nice to have options."
The 42
4 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'Stephen brought a lot of the lads through... Heimir has a different sort of tactic'
WILL SMALLBONE has hailed the impact of manager Heimir Hallgrímsson after Ireland drew 1-1 tonight with Senegal — a team 41 places above the Boys in Green in the world rankings and unbeaten in 20 matches heading into the game. Injuries have meant it is only the second time Smallbone has featured in a camp since the Icelandic coach took charge. And while the hosts were disappointed at the concession of an 82nd-minute equaliser, the Southampton star felt the game was 'another step in the right direction' following back-to-back Nations League playoff wins over Bulgaria in March. 'I think sometimes these summer camps have been a bit of a struggle where we've had a long time off and we've been coming in and trying to get up to speed,' Smallbone said. Advertisement 'I've noticed a real high quality and high intensity throughout the whole week, and it's been showing in the performance there.' While he has not had too many opportunities to link up with the squad in the last few months, Smallbone has been impressed with Hallgrímsson as a coach. 'Throughout the week, the manager has made it really clear what he wants from people, and it's just getting back in the swing of things and being in an Irish set-up. I love coming away to play for Ireland, I couldn't wait to get away and see everyone and get back in it and build connections with everyone.' Smallbone played alongside Jason Knight in central midfield and said the position was not 'too different' to what he has been accustomed to recently, despite sometimes being employed in a more attacking role for club and country. 'I was only in Heimir's first camp so that was very new for everyone so I missed the next three camps, so to then come back in, it was very similar messages. But it all seems very clear and concise — that makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it. 'The lads have done really well over the last few camps, it's good to see us winning games. Performances have been really nice, and maybe in the past we've got good performances, but we need to make sure we're winning to get to these tournaments. 'I think he wants to create a winning habit, and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup, it's obviously the aim for everyone. Winning is the only way we can get there. So it is about coming out on top in games in the past we maybe would have lost by a goal to switch it the other way to win by a goal and put an emphasis on set-pieces and making sure we're a threat whenever we get one.' Smallbone also admitted it felt 'different' to the reign of Stephen Kenny, who gave the midfielder his senior debut in 2023. 'Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s, and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like. I think if you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to, so I think that's what we've to get back to. 'The goal for every game is to win, at times performances were… I don't want to say performances have been good, but winning has not been there. So the main thing is just winning. 'The more I play football, the more I go into my career and see that winning is what gets remembered, it's what ultimately is going to get us to the World Cup. I think if the game is scrappy and it's a one-goal game, we need to make sure it's us that gets the goal, and as long as we're in games with however long left, we'll always feel we'll get an opportunity to get a goal from set-pieces.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Ireland teams were always been built big on set-pieces' - Smallbone lauds Hallgrímsson's emphasis
Will Smallbone won't be apologising if Ireland's bid to regain former glories relies on set-pieces. They came within eight minutes of scalping the 19th best team in the world until substitute rescued a 1-1 draw for Senegal in Friday's friendly. Ireland's goal came from a recycled corner finished by Kasey McAteer on the first start of his five games. Smallbone isn't a newcomer but hasn't been around since starting both games in Heimir Hallgrímsson's opening games at the helm. They were a pair of 2-0 defeats to England and Greece, whereas they've now gone on a run of three wins and this draw. One more friendly awaits in Luxembourg before the World Cup qualification group with Portugal, Hungary and Armenia consumes the calendar between September and November. 'I think the manager wants to create a winning habit and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup, it's obviously the aim for everyone,' said Southampton midfielder Smallbone. 'Winning is the only way we can get there. 'So it is about coming out on top in the games we maybe would have lost in the past by a goal; switching it the other way to win by a goal and put an emphasis on set-pieces. We've to ensure we're a threat whenever we get one.' Smallbone admits the regime differs to the one he made his breakthrough in under Stephen Kenny. He said: 'It's been different. Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like. 'I think if you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to so I think that's what we've got to get back to. 'I was only in Heimir's first camp so that was very new for everyone so I missed the next three camps so to then come back in it was very similar messages but it all seems very clear and concise. 'That makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it.' The 25-year-old is certain Ireland are on track to mount a competitive bid to reach next year's World Cup. 'The lads have done really well over the last few camps, it's good to see us winning games,' he noted. 'Performances have been really nice and maybe in the past we've got good performances but we need to make sure we're winning to get to these tournaments. 'A draw is disappointing but a top nation in Senegal so I think it is a step in the right direction. 'It's been tough for me. I've been out for a while and missed a lot of camps. It was frustrating looking on and watching so it's good to get a good chunk of minutes. 'I want to do everything I can to be involved in the squad in September and do my best to play as much as I can.'
