Damien Duff says ‘fascinating’ Heimir Hallgrimsson is ‘brilliant’ appointment for Ireland

The FAI’s much-criticised 231-day search for Stephen Kenny’s successor finally came to an end last Wednesday as 57-year-old Hallgrimsson was appointed on a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hallgrimsson was unveiled to the media at Lansdowne Road on Thursday, alongside FAI director of football Marc Canham and interim CEO David Courell, and just a few hours later the three made their way to Tolka Park to take in Shelbourne’s Conference League first round win over St Joseph’s, as the new national boss posed for photos with several supporters in the stand.

And speaking after his side marked their first European appearance in 18 years with a 2-1 victory, Reds boss Duff was asked if he got a chance to see Ireland’s new manager at the Drumcondra ground.

“No, I would have loved to. I think he’s fascinating. I didn’t get a lot of time I guess to study him on Thursday, but I think he’s a brilliant appointment. Why? You just have to look at 2016 (Euros) and 2018 (World Cup), what he did with the Icelandic team, absolutely amazing,” said Duff, with Shelbourne’s second-leg to come in Gibraltar next Thursday.

“I remember watching against Argentina (1-1 draw in 2018 World Cup group stage). I think they missed a penalty, so (they were) absolutely organised. Brilliant.

“I know you all think I hammer the FAI, I cannot wait to see what he does with the team. I’ll find it absolutely fascinating. I would have loved to have gone up and given him a hug after the (Shels) game.”

Hallgrimsson co-managed Iceland to a famous Euro 2016 last-16 victory over England before leading his country (as sole manager) to a first-ever World Cup qualification in 2018. This week he confirmed that he will be living in Ireland during his time in the hot seat here.

“The thing about him, I believe him when he says he’s going to live in Ireland. A few people have said that over the last couple of years and they haven’t, I believe him. Brilliant, good luck to him,” added Duff, who earned 100 caps for Ireland during his playing career.

“It’s commitment, that’s all it is. It’s absolutely as simple as that. No other reasons or words describe it. He is obviously fully invested.

“Like I said, if I get an hour or two over the next couple of weeks I will absolutely be downloading the English game where he was joint-manager and did a job on them (2-1 win), and the Argentina game, just to learn from him, because he has done so much more in his career than I ever probably will do. I can’t wait to see him working and what he does.”

In the aftermath of the long-awaited Reds’ return to the European stage, Duff also revealed he showed a “powerful” video to his side just minutes before kick-off to help inspire them to victory.

The Shels boss paid tribute to his side and the Reds’ supporters, saying it was a night of “absolute satisfaction”, after Mark Coyle’s remarkable opener after just 27 seconds was followed by Will Jarvis’ winning penalty in the second-half.

Duff opened up on how the emotional tribute video, created by the club’s media team, helped inspire them as they kicked off their European journey with a victory. ‘Tonight is for the people who kept this club alive’ read the video’s caption on the club’s social media.

“They (fans) were amazing. I cried a good few times on Thursday, the video you probably saw on Shels’ socials, I thought it was really powerful,” said Duff, with FC Zurich awaiting the winners in the second round.

“I didn’t want to show the guys a video, I actually haven’t done one this season. The last time was a similar time last year. I just asked Daz (Darren Cleary, club media officer) to send it to me. I added in a few bits of my own just to jazz it up and we did it downstairs in a huddle. It was a beautiful moment, it was powerful. So yeah, a brilliant night.”

A huge red and white banner entitled ‘Raised on Shels and Glories’ greeted the Reds at kick-off, as Duff added: “I was crying again. I’m an emotional guy.

“I’m a shouter and a screamer, but I’m a hugger and a kisser and I cry as well. I cried a few times today. In the huddle in there, just before kick-off, I was like ‘yeah, this is why you dedicate your life to football’. It’s so beautiful. Hats off to them (fans), I thought they were unbelievable.”

Heading into next week’s second leg in testing heat, Duff insists nothing is being taken for granted, as he added: “It’s slightly disrespectful to them (to say) ‘we want to do them for two, three or four (nil).

“They are a decent team. They lost the league in the last minute last year to Lincoln Red Imps. They have guys who have played for Gibraltar, 60 or 70 caps, they know the game, are very wise football players and very bloody technical, so it was never going to be easy. Here, we’ll take the win. We’ll go across and adapt and hopefully do the business next week.”