UEFA Nations League Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- England

Heimir Hallgrímsson in attendance as Shelbourne face St Joseph's in Tolka Park.

Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson (right), seen speaking to under-21 boss Jim Crawford, takes charge of his first game since assuming the senior role. Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Irish odyssey begins with the longest saga of them all as Dublin hosts the visit of England for a UEFA Nations League opener (kick-off 5pm).

The Icelandic boss took over from Stephen Kenny - following an interim period under John O’Shea - last month and has quickly made his presence felt in domestic ball.

Hallgrimsson has previous experience against the England - he was joint-manager with Lars Lagerbäck when Iceland sent the former packing from Euro 2016 in France.

Following a spell as the sole manager of his native island and then Jamaica - from whom he parted company in July - the 57-year-old is back on the horse with Ireland.

And while the qualified dentist continues to cut his teeth with the Irish set-up, he took a back seat as assistant O’Shea and coach Paddy McCarthy selected the 23-man squad.

Hallgrimsson has spent the week getting to know the squad on the training ground and has a fully-fit group from which to select his team.

He said: “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, focus on the tactics etc.

"That has been kind of what we have been talking about. It has probably been to cool them more down than to get them excited and motivated.



“I think that comes from within them, to do good and to be motivated. So we can say it’s more our job to cool them down and get them focused on what they should be doing on the pitch.

“I’m really excited, first and foremost I’m excited to feel the atmosphere, everybody is talking about how good it is and I know it’s going to be massive against England."

Captain Séamus Coleman has made his long-awaited return after missing out on much of last season with a knee injury, while Leicester winger Kasey McAteer could debut.

ENGLAND

As if this fixture did not come with enough baggage - seven of the Irish squad were born in England and five of the English could have declared for Ireland - 40-cap Irish international Lee Carsley will take charge of his first game for the Three Lions.

The Birmingham native, who qualified for Ireland through his Cork grandmother, has been the subject of controversy for his decision not to sing the British national anthem.



While the 50-year-old may have dual nationalities, he stressed his decision not to sing is not based on disrespect but his own need to focus fully on the game ahead of kick-off.

The former Coventry City and Birmingham midfielder, who was courted by the FAI for Hallgrimsson’s job, is known as a meticulous operator with a keen eye for detail.

He will go into the tie without the benefit of Real Madrid’s Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Man City’s Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa.

That is less than ideal for the interim coach, who will look to use the Nations League as an audition for a permanent role, but England still possess an array of quality players.

The likes of ex-Ireland under-21 winger Jack Grealish returns after missing the Euros, while Chelsea’s in-form striker Noni Madueke receives his first call-up.

Man City defender Kyle Walker has been omitted as he continues to manage his workload following a Euro 2024 final appearance but Angel Gomes of Lille and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest make their first squad.

Casrley has also categorically ruled out a recall for striker Mason Greenwood, who joined Marseilles from Manchester United in the summer following accusations of serious assault.

“We’re looking at different ways of playing through, getting beyond,” said Carsley. 

“I expect it to be a little bit scrappy and scruffy at times. But I’ve got total belief in the way that I think we can play.

“We spoke a lot about control, which is going to be a big thing for this group.  There won’t just be one thing that I most want to see. 

“We spoke a lot about being excited, playing with energy, control. I have seen a lot of really good defending this week in terms of shots that have been blocked in games at the end of sessions. 

“As exciting as you want to be at one end, ultimately to win the game, you have got to keep it out of your goal.

“But this week has really hit home to me the level of players that we’ve got. If we can perform at the right time as a whole group, there is no reason why they can’t create a legacy for themselves.”

Referee: José Maria Sánchez (Spain).

MATCH STATS

The Republic of Ireland (as distinct from the pre-1921 Ireland side) have faced England 17 times in 102 years, with England winning six, Ireland two and nine draws.

Ireland’s recent record is more positive, with a win apiece and six draws from eight meetings since 1988.

Of those games, eight were competitive, with England winning two and Ireland once, the remaining five finishing level.

Ireland’s most famous outing against England was at Euro ‘88 in Germany, where Ray Houghton’s header helped Jack Charlton’s Ireland to a 1-0 win in Stuttgart.

In 1949, at Goodison Park in Liverpool, Ireland became the first visiting team to beat England in England, 2-0 with goals in either half from Con Martin and Peter Farrell.

Their most recent meeting was in 2020 at Wembley, when goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw the hosts to a 3-0 friendly win.

BETTING

Republic of Ireland 5/1; Draw 14/5; England 4/9.

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 0 – 2 England

Republic of Ireland

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

England

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

About Dave Donnelly

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