Heimir Hallgrimsson: Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes ‘far from over’

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson admits he was hurt by the criticism which followed defeat to Armenia but is backing the players to put things right in the next two World Cup qualifiers.

The shock defeat in Yerevan last month left Ireland bottom of Group F but Hallgrimsson refused to accept their hopes of making next summer’s tournament in the United States are over already.

“Obviously (the criticism) disappoints, it hurts. That’s normal,” the Icelander told a press conference.

“Could I have anticipated that? I don’t know. You know the media here better than me. But, definitely, it hurts.

“This is the life, sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s negative. You’ve just got to adapt to whatever mood there is and keep on your job.”

Seamus Coleman, Troy Parrott, Callum O’Dowda, Will Smallbone, Festy Ebosele and Jayson Molumby have all been drafted into the squad – with John Egan receiving his first call-up in two years – for the trip to Portugal before the return meeting with Armenia.

While the likes of Coleman and Egan bring some much-needed experience and the head coach insists he will not change his plans off the back of one bad result.

“The thing is that we’ve a project in our hands, we were feeling really good with it until Armenia,” added Hallgrimsson, who insists he retains the faith of the Football Association of Ireland.

“Should we make one game affect what we are doing and how we are working? Absolutely not, we continue to have belief in the squad and in our work.

“I’ve said it before, I believe in this squad. I believe this squad has enough quality to qualify.

“I have had squads with less individual quality than this one qualifying for World Cups and Euros.

“I don’t regret saying it because that is what I felt and I always try to be honest in what I am saying.

“I can understand the people if they’re fed up with having expectations and not succeeding in them but it’s far from being over.

“We need good performances in this camp. Even three points will keep us alive until November. It can go down to goal difference, the second place.

“It’s not over, so nobody should be disappointed at this stage.”

Hallgrimsson said Wolves defender Matt Doherty (wrist fracture), Bristol City midfielder Jason Knight (groin) and Stoke’s Bosun Lawal (hamstring) are all out for four-to-five weeks and could be doubtful for next month’s matches against Portugal and Hungary.