Oct 13,2024
For the first time, in what appears like a very long time, Ireland go into a competitive international fixture with something concrete in their corner as they face Greece at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens.
The last time that there was real hope regarding the Irish team was way back in the summer of 2022 when Ireland turned over a decent Scotland side; another solid away point against Ukraine three days later as the Stephen Kenny project finally brought hope to the nation, after a rough start in the job.
False hope, as it turned out, with the manager promising a challenge to win the group and gaining promotion to the top tier of European football, yet in reality, a scrap to avoid relegation, leaving Ukraine and the Scots to battle it out for top spot.
The previous World Cup qualifying campaign was over before it really began as Luxembourg tore up the script in Dublin, while the path to Euro 2024 also came a cropper early on as the team were hit hard by Gus Poyet's Greece side in the summer of 2023.
And so the return to Athens; this time it is not arriving after a ten-day warm-weather camp in Turkey, but rather off the back of a tough night in the Nordics as they battled back from a calamitous start to take their first points of the current campaign.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has only had three games to mould a side in his own image, and two of those, by his own admission, were by way of back-seat driving, as the new head coach allowed assistants John O’Shea and Paddy McCarthy take the lead role.
By the time the squad was announced for the current double header, Hallgrimsson was already painting a picture of what he was looking for in his quest to create a team that were horrible to play against, while also creating a side that could develop a winning mentality.
No small task, it must be said, considering Hallgrimsson arrived very much under the radar, following months of speculation regarding the appointment of former midfielder Lee Carsley to the role.
Hallgrimsson’s squad caught the eye, primarily for its apparent jettisoning of experienced players like Matt Doherty, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson – the manager reluctant to shut the window completely on the old guard, he would stress.
But the addition of players like Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor and Jamie McGrath suggested that Hallgrimsson was looking for more than just a team of fighters, but rather a focal point on the pitch through which creativity might begin to flow.
Azaz was sent in to start on Thursday night as Hallgrimsson wanted the selfless running of Sammie Szmodics to be rewarded by a forward-thinking player, and while it did not bear fruit, it also allowed the flanks to flourish, which proved perfect as both goals came from wide play.
Hallgrimsson has also shown his hand regarding his defensive set up, which relies less on formation and more on players getting to know their close environment, working as a unit and playing with the confidence to step into space when options open.
The manager again played with three centre halves, with Dara O’Shea doing a lot of work more akin to a right back, and Liam Scales was also quick to cover as Robbie Brady gradually started to play higher and higher up the left flank.
Josh Cullen anchored the midfield, while Jason Knight – a real bundle of energy – was always in attendance when out of possession, while happy to push forward with the play.
Greece, of course, are a completely different proposition, however, Hallgrimsson seems happy enough to work with the same system and cares not if his team become predictable; "I really don’t care if we are easy to analyse if we are difficult to play against," the words of the coach on the eve of tonight’s game.
As his side takes on the group leaders, who are coming off the back of a confidence-building victory over England at Wembley, while also high on emotion following the tragic death of defender George Baldock, Hallgrimsson is wary of Ireland being unable to match the fast start that is expected from the Greeks.
Ireland were caught cold at the start of the first and second halves in Athens last time out and it proved the difference, as the hosts took all three points, and the Ireland manager is priming his side for something similar.
"They were really good, they created a lot of goalscoring chances in the beginning," said Hallgrimsson.
"Looking at that game and looking at our game against Finland, we didn’t start as well as we wanted.
"So that is a scary thought, them starting on the front-foot and we don’t. So we need to improve from our last game and build on what we did the last time, and improve it for this one.
"They will be coming in on a high after beating England, so we need to be ready from minute one against this team."
It remains to be seen if Hallgrimsson has the luxury of naming the same starting side for two games in a row.
There were a lot of tired bodies after the Helsinki encounter, and while all were deemed available for selection, there is likely to be one or two changes.
Chiedozie Ogbene looked to be hobbling as he came off against Finland, and while he was togged out at the start of training on Saturday – the media are allowed to watch the first 15 minutes – he looked to be easing very gently into the session.
Granted that is pure speculation, as he may well have worked at full tilt once warmed up, however, if there is an issue, Hallgrimsson knows that he can trust Festy Ebosele to step in and bring something different to the party.
The young Wexford man made a real impact in Finland to set up Robbie Brady for the winner, and he certainly seemed at home on the international stage.
Otherwise, perhaps Evan Ferguson may be started on the bench, allowing Adam Idah to lead the line, with the Brighton striker primed to come on for the final 30 minutes if goals are required.
No doubt, they will be, as Ireland have yet to keep a clean sheet from the three games played so far in this Nations League campaign.
Nathan Collins was anointed as Hallgrimsson’s chosen leader in the absence of Seamus Coleman, and despite some shaky performances, the manager is likely to stick with the Brentford defender in the heart of the defence.
Hallgrimsson has already shown his ruthless streak with the announcement of the current squad, and he will be hoping that his team follow suit to maintain the modicum of momentum established in Helsinki and leave Athens with at least a point to take into the November fixtures.
