Heimir Hallgrímsson invites Séamus Coleman to take up ‘hybrid’ role with Ireland as he searches for new club
When he appeared on Sky Sports earlier this week, Séamus Coleman gave the impression of a man who was enjoying the free time he’s had on his hands since leaving Everton at the end of last season. He did mention, though, that Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson was eager for him to find a new club so that he could continue his international career. That hasn’t happened yet, but the 38-year-old will be back on Ireland duty next week in what Hallgrímsson described as “some kind of hybrid role”. “He is going to do the sessions with the players, but he is going to be in a leadership role, in a supportive role with us as coaches,” said Hallgrímsson. “With his professionalism, his focus and his experience, he will push the others. We will look to him to do one or two meetings with the players as well. Hopefully this will get him to start playing again and that is our aim, to try to push him to continue playing. He has expressed that he wants to do that.” Hallgrímsson, who named a 24-man squad on Thursday for the final round of Nations League games against Austria and Kosovo, said he couldn’t select Coleman as a player this time around because that “would have been unfair to the others”. However, he didn’t entirely rule out the chance of him making an appearance during this window. “He hasn’t done team training for some period now, so we need to see where he is at. We have five players on a yellow card, so there might be suspensions for the second game, injuries, etc. Knock on wood, nobody gets injured this weekend because everybody has a game with their clubs. But obviously it’s tempting, how Séamus did for us without playing much for Everton makes us believe he can always play for the national team and do good. But we’ll have to wait and see.” After being ruled out due to injury in the last window, captain Nathan Collins and QPR’s Harvey Vale return to the squad, but Gavin Bazunu is out with a thigh issue, with Everton’s Mark Travers taking his place. Finn Azaz’s inclusion in the squad should end any speculation about his willingness to carry on playing for Ireland after events surrounding the games against Israel. Had there ever being a doubt? “I don’t think so, no,” said Hallgrímsson. “I have a really good relationship with Finn and I give him a lot of praise. I think his value as a player and as a person has risen in this squad tremendously, and hopefully he can show that again on the pitch for us this camp. That’s what matters for me.” Hallgrímsson also praised Shelbourne old boy Jack Moylan, who took his tally of goals for Cardiff City to 10 in 16 games this season with a first-half hat-trick against West Ham on Wednesday. Moylan moved to England in January 2024, first setting up shop at Lincoln City. “It’s been really quick for Jack,” said Hallgrímson. “I remember I went last season to Lincoln to watch him play in League One, and met his family there. In just over a year, I think his stardom has risen. So, for sure it turns attention to Irish football and the League of Ireland for coaches looking for talent, 100 per cent. For me, I would just like him to continue to improve – and score a hat trick in the second half as well.” Owen Elding has also been in impressive form for Hibernian, but having made his senior debut in September’s defeat away to Kosovo, he drops down to the under-21 squad named for the European Championship playoffs against Finland on November 13th and 17th. Hallgrímsson remains convinced that Ireland can top their Nations League group despite trailing leaders Austria by three points and being behind Kosovo on goal difference. “Two wins will win the group, and with a win against Kosovo here in the Aviva, we will most likely secure second place, which obviously is our goal, to be in pot two when the draw for the Euros is made in December.” Ireland play Austria in Linz on November 14th before wrapping up their campaign against Kosovo in Dublin on November 17th. Republic of Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Mark Travers (Everton). Defenders: Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Jake O’Brien (Everton), James Abankwah (Watford), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Liam Scales (Celtic). Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Harvey Vale (QPR), Finn Azaz (Southampton). Forwards: Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Rocco Vata (Watford). Republic of Ireland under-21 squad Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Royal Francs Borains), Owen Mason (Bromley), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne). Defenders: Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers), Matteo Egan (Empoli), Oisin Gallagher (Barnet, on loan from Lincoln City), Sean Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Cathal McCarthy (Kilmarnock, on loan from Hull City), Conor McManus (Gillingham), Alex Murphy (1 FC Kaiserslautern, on loan from Newcastle United), David Okagbue (Peterborough United). Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Jacob Devaney (Hibernian, on loan from Manchester United), Rory Finneran (Notts County, on loan from Newcastle United), Darius Luipsic (Notts County), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers). Forwards: Gbemi Arbui (Burton Albion), Leon Ayinde (Doncaster Rovers), Owen Elding (Hibernian), Trent Kone Doherty (Molde), Tommy Lonergan (Waterford), Kian McMahon Brown (Shrewsbury Town, on loan from Burnley), Ike Orazi (Stade de Reims).