Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has claimed that Matt Doherty, who has been left out of the Ireland squad, wasn't happy with the decision.
Hallgrimsson announced his Ireland squad for the Finland and Greece games this week, with a much-changed selection compared to the one that lost to both Greece and England last month.
The likes of Jake O'Brien and Doherty have been left out, while Luton Town centre-back Mark McGuinness receives his first call-up to the senior squad following his impressive form this season. Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz and Ipswich's Jack Taylor are also back in the Irish squad.
Doherty came under serious criticism for his performance in the England game in Dublin last month, and some pundits, without naming him directly, questioned whether some players were good enough to play for Ireland.
Hallgrimsson explained that he spoke to the "unhappy" Doherty on the phone and told him that it was due to testing out newer players, and that his exclusion wasn't a permanent omission.
"I called Matt (on Wednesday)," said Hallgrimsson via the Irish Mirror
"Obviously, he deserves that. He was not happy; of course, he wants to play every game for Ireland.
"But I just assured him that it's not like we are leaving him out; we're just testing other players.
"Because of his experience, [we decided] not to bring him in just to have him on the bench. It's better to give him this camp off."
Matt Doherty being dropped from the Ireland squad is the right decision
For whatever reason, he just doesn’t put in the effort required
We have to look at the likes of Festy Ebosele now, the future 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/aWuYJ3mIHi
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) October 3, 2024
The likes of Callum Robinson, Will Smallbone, Seamus Coleman, and Jake O’Brien have also been left out for different reasons.
Hallgrimsson was asked about the other players' situations and explained that he had a phone call with each omitted player, similar to the one he had with Doherty.
The Icelander admitted that he normally wouldn't have called them, but he felt it was courteous to do so because they were part of his first squad.
"It was the same conversation with all of them, but just because I’m starting (as manager)," added Hallgrimsson.
"Normally, I wouldn’t call everyone that I don’t select. But they were in my first squad, and just because I’m starting, I thought it would be a good start to call them all."
Republic of Ireland Squad - Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League - Fixtures
10/10 - Finland v Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
13/10 - Greece v Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
