Doherty was unhappy to be left out of last month’s squad, giving an interview to The 42 where he also suggested that he felt disrespected when Hallgrimsson picked Andrew Omobamidele ahead of him at right-back in the September loss to Greece.
Hallgrimsson said today that he hadn’t read the comments, adding that he would expect excluded players to have their noses out of joint. He responded “I hope so” when asked directly if the 32-year-old would line out for Ireland again.
Shane Duffy has been called up to the Ireland squad once again. Photo: Sportsfile
“The last conference I explained that we want to explore other players in that position,” said Hallgrimsson, as he named his squad for next week’s encounters with Finland and England.
“We know exactly what we can do. Him and Séamus (Coleman) have been kind of stuck in the starting XI for a long time.
“All players should feel they should be playing, they should have the confidence to feel they should be playing and I would be unhappy if somebody thinks they didn’t deserve to play.
“We know exactly what he can give us, so we don’t need to see him or test him. This is the last chance before the seriousness starts,” continued Hallgrimsson, a reference to how 2025 will be dominated by World Cup qualifiers although a draw against Finland would book Ireland into another Nations League play-off double-header in March.
However, he has decided to bring Coleman back in straight away, although Sean Dyche revealed today that the Ireland skipper is a major doubt with a hamstring issue.
Left to right, Matt Doherty and Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson
The Icelander has also decided to recall Shane Duffy to the squad, adding that some difficult moments in the first-half in Greece last month convinced him that the Derryman had a role to play.
“I really wanted to see the younger centre-backs, we’ve a lot of up and coming and exciting young centre-backs,” said Hallgrimsson, on why Duffy wasn’t involved previously under his watch.
“But I felt, especially last camp and the camp before, there was some areas we can improve. For example, we lost a lot of duels especially against Greece in the first-half.
“And his leadership, his character will probably help us in that area.
“It’s good to see what he brings in and I hope that will be the attributes he will come in with, with leadership, a little bit more steel and winning duels, especially set pieces etc, I hope that’s what he will bring into the squad at this stage.”
The loss of Robbie Brady to injury has not opened the door to Ryan Manning, even though he has been seeing Premier League action with Southampton. “He’s close,” said Hallgrimsson.
“It’s good to have a player playing in the Premier League in this position.”
Festy Ebosele was referenced as a potential left-back, given his versatility, but Hallgrimsson also stressed he was keen to see Callum O’Dowda in this gathering.
Stoke duo Tom Cannon and Andy Moran have been called up to the fold, with the manager stating that the latter was always in his plans but he preferred to leave him with Jim Crawford’s Under-21 side while their hopes of European Championships qualification were live.
Injuries to Jack Taylor and Jamie McGrath have also opened up a spot in the attacking midfield department. Will Smallbone remains out of action, with the squad light in the engine room area.
But Alan Browne was overlooked, with the 57-year-old indicating that he needs to start more games for Sunderland.
Chiedozie Ogbene’s long-term injury is a major setback while Hallgrimsson – who started his press conference with words of congratulations for Damien Duff’s Shelbourne – is also without Omobamidele due to a fitness issue.
Ireland squad (v Finland and England)
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andy Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
Fixtures – UEFA Nations League
Thursday November 14: Ireland v Finland, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
Sunday November 17: England v Ireland, Wembley Stadium, 5pm
