Ireland’s Hallgrimsson has claimed that he has been informed about the rivalry between England and Ireland but says the players won’t need any reminders about the importance of this weekend’s fixture.
England will come to the Aviva Stadium to take on Ireland in the Nations League opener, and for political, historical, and societal reasons, the game means a lot, especially to Irish fans.
Hallgrimsson, the new Ireland boss, explained in his Friday press conference that his players need little convincing about the significance of the tie.
“I’ve been briefed on those [historical] things,” the Icelander said to RTE. “I think for us coaches it’s probably not necessary to motivate the players to play against England.
“It’s probably the opposite for us—to just remind them what they should be doing on the pitch, focusing on the tactics, etc.
“That has been what we have been talking about. It has probably been more about cooling them down rather than getting them excited and motivated.
“I think that motivation comes from within them to do well. So we can say it’s more our job to calm them down and get them focused on what they should be doing on the pitch.”
The well-fancied England team is expected to win the tie, and it would be ambitious to think that Ireland, under a new manager with no game-time, can pull a rabbit out of the hat when it comes to upsetting the Three Lions in Dublin. However, stranger things have happened in football, and you can never say never in sport.
Dublin , Ireland, 6 September 2024: Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images) )Hallgrimsson believes that if Ireland are to beat England this weekend, the collective must shine rather than the individual.
“If Ireland has a chance to beat England, it’s the collective, for sure,” added Hallgrimsson. “Man for man, going gung-ho, probably nine out of ten times, England would win.
“So we need to play as a collective against them, and that is going to be the way to win the match tomorrow.”
Ireland will begin their campaign on September 7 against England in a League B, Group B2 match. Following this, on September 10, they will take on Greece. The team will then travel to Finland for their next fixture on October 10. Just three days later, on October 13, Ireland will face Greece again, this time away.
Their penultimate match will be on November 14, when they host Finland. Finally, Ireland will conclude their group stage on November 17 with a match against England.
Republic of Ireland Squad: England & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).
Attackers: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
07/09: Ireland vs. England, Aviva Stadium, 5pm
10/09: Ireland vs. Greece, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
