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Irish Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hallgrimsson's shock message to James McClean ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Heimir Hallgrímsson has opened the door to a sensational James McClean return to the green jersey. The Ireland manager explained that he hadn't considered the Wrexham captain because he was under the impression that McClean had quit international football. However, the Derry native stated last year that he would find a call-up 'a hard one to turn down' - while he added: 'Never say never.' Hallgrímsson is short on left-back options, with Robbie Brady currently the number one pick for that role. Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan has been drafted in for the upcoming friendlies at home to Senegal and away to Luxembourg. McClean will be back in the Championship next season after winning back-to-back promotions with Wrexham - and Hallgrímsson said: 'That was my understanding when I came - he was out. 'Obviously, we've spoken about him a little bit, especially when I went to Derry. 'He is a player of interest, really. Again, a character that could help us at some point. 'I think this camp, we were more looking at younger players, but obviously we look at him like everyone else. 'If he is better than the ones we have already, I would have no problem with selecting him. And I've said before, age is not an issue for me if a player is 16 and better than the ones before or 35. It really doesn't matter if they are better than the ones we have.' Hallgrímsson hasn't watched the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, but he has an idea of what 103-time capped McClean can bring to a dressing room. 'I don't know the story behind his decision (to drop down to League Two) and what happened and all of that. I read up on his history and all the things around him,' said the Ireland manager. 'Interesting, it shows his strength in character as well, reading up on him. 'Yeah, probably the change (of club) was to help this team to develop and progress. And here you have it. So maybe that's a good decision for the club to take him and for him to go there. 'And he is probably now a legend at that club as well. Correct? 'In regards to us, I don't know him personally. I haven't spoken to him, but just caught up on him, seen him play. 'Like I said, what is he, 36? So he's not getting any younger. But if he's better than the ones we have, I would have no problems with selecting him. 'Again, it would have been good to have camps to call him in and work with him for a week.' Another potential left-sided option is PEC Zwolle's Anselmo Garcia MacNulty. The former Ireland Under-21 defender played every single minute in the Eredivisie with his side last season and was watched by Hallgrímsson, but he only made the stand-by list for the June friendlies. 'I've seen a few games. He's a promising player. Now, the good thing for him is he's playing in a team that believes in him,' said the Icelander. 'He's playing every minute in a proper league. A different style than he's used to, so he's adapting to the style they are playing. 'A left-footed centre-back, we don't have many of those. But (he has) probably more chance of playing as a left-back, but he's not doing that at this stage. 'He can play both, so if you look to the future, definitely a guy that we will have our eye on.'
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Could Ireland's call make Liam Delap a Lions bolter?
Heimir Hallgrimsson remains hopeful that Liam Delap will follow in the footsteps of his father and represent the Republic of Ireland at senior international level. The in-demand Ipswich striker, who is expected to land a big-money move during the summer with Chelsea appearing the most likely destination, is Irish qualified, however, he is currently embedded in the England Under-21 set-up. Delap, son of Rory, who played 11 times for Ireland between 1998 and 2004, came through the ranks at Manchester City and following loan moves to Preston, Stoke and Hull, he signed a permanent deal with the newly-promoted Premier League side in the summer of 2024. Thirty-seven top-flight appearances and 12 Premier League goals later, Delap's impressive season was not enough to save Ipswich from relegation, however, it has cemented opinion about the quality and potential of the emerging frontman. Delap has represented the land of his birth at every international age group from U-16 to U-21 level, and will travel with the highly fancied England squad to Slovakia for next month's European Championships. A futile exercise, perhaps, for Ireland to still harbour hopes of attracting a player of Delap's quality into a squad that has not played at a major tournament since 2016, when the lure of being involved at the latter stages of the Euros and World Cups a veritable possibility if selected for the England senior side. In the meantime, as long as the player remains eligible to declare for the Republic, it would appear that the door remains firmly open with the manager admitting that talks had taken place with the young striker. "Liam has good qualities, everybody knows that," said Hallgrimsson, speaking to the media in Dublin on Thursday. "His father played for the Republic. Obviously, we are always hoping the good players will join us. He is now in the England U-21 squad in the [Euros] finals. "That is his focus at the moment. What will happen after that we will have to wait and see. "We have sat with him yeah," added the manager. "Just told him we would love to have him in our camp. But, like I said, the focus in the [England] U-21s." Hallgrimsson was then asked whether the young striker showed any interest in playing for Ireland. "Well, he didn't say f*** off," laughed the Icelander. But in reality, Hallgrimsson said that despite his admiration for the player and aware of the quality that he would bring to his Republic unit, he accepts that it all comes down to the player as to where allegiances lie. "I feel so, yeah. Probably you feel the same as well?" said Hallgrimsson, when asked if he thought players who have such a strong link should be playing for the national team. "We want the best players available, always playing for us. Others might have other opinions. "It is up to him. These questions you need to ask the player himself, not me. We always want the best players." So moving on from the hypotheticals, Hallgrimsson's focus was brought back to the here and now, and the fact that Ireland have to play two games in the upcoming summer international window. Ireland have failed to fire at this time of year in recent years with many players idle having finished their respective club seasons up to six weeks before the fixtures. Senegal are first up, at Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 June, followed by an away game in Luxembourg four days later. But thankfully for Hallgrimsson, they are of the rarely spotted friendly variety, which has allowed the manager to use the window to look at some players, a situation that has proved difficult in a competitive environment. "I answer that with a yes," said the manager, when asked if he was relieved that these games were not part of the qualifying campaign. "We couldn't have done what we did, given them an extended holiday and off season so they will be fit in September so they will be rested when it comes to the new season. "And that's because the June window has not been successful for Ireland in the past, it's been a tricky window, not playing for a month and then coming in to the national team camp for a game that's maybe on a higher level than you play on a regular basis. "You are never 100% physically fit or mentally focussed after a holiday period, so yes, I am happy we are not playing World Cup group stage at this time." And Hallgrimsson is trying to focus on the positives of playing two games of little significance ahead of such an important run of matches, and coming off the back of consecutive victories against Bulgaria in March. "So this is one of, maybe, the negative sides in that we are breaking up partnerships that we have been trying to build, but it gives new faces the chance to prove a point, which is for us, playing only five camps a year, there is not many options to give them a chance. "There are always positives to every negative that you have in life so definitely pros and cons." Qualifying for next year's World Cup is the ultimate goal for this Ireland manager, and while the obvious benefits are showcased throughout a month-long football festival, which can lift the mood and often bring the nation to a standstill, Hallgrimsson offered his thoughts about what other benefits a team can gain from qualifying. "It is not only to qualify, but it is this two months of being together, which would continue to grow the team," he explained. "That is not much spoken of, but I think that is one of the reasons why it is always the same teams qualifying, because they spend this valuable time together that other national teams don't get. "So that is the value of time for national teams to be in camp for finals and that is something that we really need at this moment, I would say." Hallgrimsson was also asked whether he had the raw materials to work with to achieve that goal of taking his team to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer. "I think we have the material to qualify, sure," he said. "I think I have, from experience, qualified with less talent than we have here."
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'He didn't say f*** off' - Hallgrimsson happy to 'wait and see' after Delap talks
Chelsea's €40m target Liam Delap has held talks with Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson about his international allegiances. Delap has represented his native England up to U21 level but the FAI have maintained interest as he's eligible through both maternal and paternal grandparents. Hallgrimsson admitted in October he'd delegated dealings to his assistant John O'Shea – who'd worked with Delap during his loan spell at Stoke City – but the Icelander has now met the player face-to-face. Also present at the meeting was Delap's father Rory, who won 11 caps for Ireland and is currently assistant to Ireland's record caps holder Robbie Keane at Hungarian champions Ferencvaros. Although it appears England are in pole position to retain the Ipswich Town striker, he's free to switch until the Three Lions cap the 22-year-old in a competitive senior international. That won't happen until at least September after Thomas Tuchel opted against drafting Delap in for the June double-header to allow him to remain with Lee Carsley's Euro U21s champions. "We have sat with him, yeah,' admitted Hallgrimsson after finalising his squad for the June friendlies against Senegal on Friday week and Luxembourg four days later. 'We just told him we would love to have him in our camp. Liam has good qualities and everybody knows that. His father played for the Republic. 'Obviously we are always hoping the good players will join us. He is now in the England under-21 squad for their Euros finals. "That is his focus at the moment. What will happen after that we will have to wait and see." When asked to confirm if Delap remains interested in joining the Boys in Green cause, the Ireland boss took a direct interpretation of their discussion. "Well, he didn't say fuck off," he said with a smile. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has allowed his star striker to open negotiations with suitors due to his €36m release clause. He scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances for a relegated Tractor Boys side that features an Irish presence in Dara O'Shea, Jack Taylor, Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene. Hallgrimsson isn't overly concerned about their relegation culling the volume of top-flight minutes his players are exposed to. The FAI have painted a bleak picture in their sales pitch to the government for academy funding, arguing 35 players operating across the top five leagues in Europe are a minimum to assemble a successful Ireland team. Once this double-header is completed, Ireland are straight into a blitz of six World Cup qualifiers against Portugal, Hungary and Armenia from September 6 to November 16. Failure to reach USA next year would prolong Ireland's tournament famine to the longest stretch since their qualification breakthrough At Euro '88. 'I think we have the material to qualify, sure,' said the manager who guided Iceland and Jamaica to major tournaments. 'I have, from experience, qualified with less talent than we have here in this Ireland squad. Obviously, we would like more players to play at a higher level and I think more players will. They're still not peaking in age. 'I think the players that got promoted, the likes of Josh Cullen will play, more or less, every minute for Burnley in the Premier League. 'For those relegated, it wasn't that they were that bad – and some like Sammie and Chieo were injured – but Dara O'Shea played really well. 'Ryan Manning did well for Southampton and Kasey McAteer is playing every minute for Leicester City. The quality is there for sure. 'We like to have players playing at the highest level but I would rather have players playing in the Championship than being on the bench.' That criteria would seem to apply in the case of Evan Ferguson. Although he provided winning goals in two of the manager's four victories against Finland and Bulgaria, he endured a disastrous club campaign. A loan move from Brighton and Hove Albion to West Ham United didn't improve the outlook and he may have to drop into the second tier to regain the sharpness he exuded from his teens. 'I can only judge from the time he's with us and he's been good for us, very efficient,' stressed Hallgrimsson. 'Whatever he goes, it's not something we cannot control. We haven't seen him since March, so we just want to see and speak to him, see what's happening and just evaluate where he is.'
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Heimir Hallgrimsson keen for Seamus Coleman to continue international career
The 36-year-old Everton defender has been a mainstay for successive Ireland managers during a senior international career which currently spans more than 14 years, and Hallgrimsson is keeping his fingers crossed that one of his most influential players is still around when Hungary head for Dublin in September for the opening qualifier. Coleman has been forced to withdraw from the squad for next week's friendly against Senegal and the trip to Luxembourg which follows it because of a thigh injury, but the Icelander is keen to retain what he offers both on and off the pitch in the longer term. MNT SQUAD CONFIRMED 🇮🇪 Seamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics have withdrawn from the squad through injury 🔁 Andrew Moran comes into the squad to face Senegal and Luxembourg with the squad set to report on Sunday, June 1 👏 06/06 | 🇮🇪🆚🇸🇳10/06 | 🇱🇺🆚🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 29, 2025 Hallgrimsson said: 'He is a leader in this squad and you cannot have his experience in many players. His experience, his leadership skills are one thing, but his quality as a player is another thing as well. 'He's been playing at the highest level for such a long time, so it's a shame for me – and, of course the national team – not to have him around. But hopefully there will come another time for him, hopefully it will be just the off-season and he'll come fit and flying. 'I know he's going to be at Everton in whatever role, maybe a little bit more leadership role, but it's for him to answer if he's going to continue playing or not. 'It's his decision, but I'm hoping – and I know the Evertonians are hoping – he will continue playing.' Sammie Szmodics has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad through injury (Bradley Collyer/PA) Asked if there was a possibility that Coleman might announce his retirement from international football in the meantime, Hallgrimsson said: 'That's for him to decide, not me.' The Ireland boss, who has not called up the majority of his Sky Bet Championship players for this camp because of the length of time since the end of their regular season, will also have to do without Ipswich's Sammie Szmodics for the double-header after he suffered a reaction while recovering from ankle surgery. Hallgrimsson said: 'We knew that he was injured, we were hopeful that he would be ready. He played, I think, 10, 15 minutes in the last game for Ipswich, but the ankle got swollen afterwards, so we decided it's not worth the risk to have him in our squad now. 'Hopefully he will have a good pre-season and come in flying in September.' Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran, who spent last season on loan at Stoke, has been drafted into the squad as cover. Had Ireland been drawn into a five-team group rather than a four, they would have been playing qualifiers instead of friendlies next month, and Hallgrimsson admits he is happy about that. He said: 'The June window has not been successful for Ireland in the past, it's been a tricky window, not playing for a month and then coming in to the national team camp for a game that's maybe on a higher level than you play on a regular basis. 'You are never 100 per cent physically fit or mentally focused after a holiday period, so yes, I am happy we are not playing World Cup group stage at this time.'
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Heimir Hallgrimsson keen for Seamus Coleman to continue international career
The 36-year-old Everton defender has been a mainstay for successive Ireland managers during a senior international career which currently spans more than 14 years, and Hallgrimsson is keeping his fingers crossed that one of his most influential players is still around when Hungary head for Dublin in September for the opening qualifier. Coleman has been forced to withdraw from the squad for next week's friendly against Senegal and the trip to Luxembourg which follows it because of a thigh injury, but the Icelander is keen to retain what he offers both on and off the pitch in the longer term. MNT SQUAD CONFIRMED 🇮🇪 Seamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics have withdrawn from the squad through injury 🔁 Andrew Moran comes into the squad to face Senegal and Luxembourg with the squad set to report on Sunday, June 1 👏 06/06 | 🇮🇪🆚🇸🇳10/06 | 🇱🇺🆚🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 29, 2025 Hallgrimsson said: 'He is a leader in this squad and you cannot have his experience in many players. His experience, his leadership skills are one thing, but his quality as a player is another thing as well. 'He's been playing at the highest level for such a long time, so it's a shame for me – and, of course the national team – not to have him around. But hopefully there will come another time for him, hopefully it will be just the off-season and he'll come fit and flying. 'I know he's going to be at Everton in whatever role, maybe a little bit more leadership role, but it's for him to answer if he's going to continue playing or not. 'It's his decision, but I'm hoping – and I know the Evertonians are hoping – he will continue playing.' Asked if there was a possibility that Coleman might announce his retirement from international football in the meantime, Hallgrimsson said: 'That's for him to decide, not me.' The Ireland boss, who has not called up the majority of his Sky Bet Championship players for this camp because of the length of time since the end of their regular season, will also have to do without Ipswich's Sammie Szmodics for the double-header after he suffered a reaction while recovering from ankle surgery. Hallgrimsson said: 'We knew that he was injured, we were hopeful that he would be ready. He played, I think, 10, 15 minutes in the last game for Ipswich, but the ankle got swollen afterwards, so we decided it's not worth the risk to have him in our squad now. 'Hopefully he will have a good pre-season and come in flying in September.' Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran, who spent last season on loan at Stoke, has been drafted into the squad as cover. Had Ireland been drawn into a five-team group rather than a four, they would have been playing qualifiers instead of friendlies next month, and Hallgrimsson admits he is happy about that. He said: 'The June window has not been successful for Ireland in the past, it's been a tricky window, not playing for a month and then coming in to the national team camp for a game that's maybe on a higher level than you play on a regular basis. 'You are never 100 per cent physically fit or mentally focused after a holiday period, so yes, I am happy we are not playing World Cup group stage at this time.'
