Hallgrimsson Admits Coleman Proved Him Wrong as Ireland Veterans Return for Play-Offs

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has conceded he initially underestimated the influence of Seamus Coleman, admitting the Everton captain “proved me wrong.” The acknowledgment comes as Coleman is named in the squad for the crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia in Prague next Thursday.

Coleman’s Recall and Impact

Hallgrimsson initially left the 37-year-old Coleman out of his squad for the opening World Cup qualifiers in September 2025, citing a lack of regular club football. However, after a tricky start to the qualifying campaign – securing only one point from the first two games – Coleman was recalled to the team. Ireland’s performance improved markedly with Coleman in the side, culminating in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest last November.

Despite playing just 10 minutes for Everton since November due to a hamstring injury, Coleman retains his place in the squad. Hallgrimsson emphasized the importance of Coleman’s mentality and leadership.

“Seamus proved me wrong,” Hallgrimsson stated. “He was ready when I was doubting him and when you’re wrong, you learn. That’s life, you do mistakes and you take wrong decisions and to grow you need to learn from those things. Definitely in Séamus’s case it was the wrong decision at that time.”

Brady Also Returns to the Squad

Coleman isn’t the only experienced player returning to the Ireland setup. Robbie Brady, who last played for Ireland before the current campaign, has also been included in the squad. Brady has been recovering from a calf injury and has featured sparingly for Preston North Conclude.

Hallgrimsson expressed hope that Brady would have a similar impact to Coleman, stating, “Hopefully he will be the same as Séamus.” He highlighted Brady’s strong performances in the past, particularly during the Nations League tournament, and acknowledged the value of his experience.

Other Players with Limited Game Time

Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah are also included in the squad despite limited recent game time for their clubs. Ogbene has played over 20 minutes for Sheffield United since a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Hungary, whereas on loan from Luton Town. Hallgrimsson clarified that Ogbene’s lack of appearances for Sheffield United is due to the club’s loan player restrictions, and confirmed he is fit and playing regularly for their Under-21 team.

Preparing for Czechia and Beyond

Hallgrimsson emphasized the importance of preparing for a potentially challenging match against Czechia, noting their strong home record and the experience of their new head coach, Miroslav Koubek. He anticipates a physical contest, describing it as potentially resembling “football war.”

If Ireland overcomes Czechia, they will face either Denmark or North Macedonia in a final play-off match at the Aviva Stadium on March 31st. However, the manager indicated that Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston are unlikely to feature in a potential World Cup campaign due to recent ankle surgeries, with recovery timelines of four to six months.

The match against Czechia will be broadcast on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, March 26th, with live coverage also available on RTÉ Radio 1.