Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman hopes to tap into the emotional side of facing England, but insists he will tackle Saturday's much-anticipated Nations League meeting with a "smart head".
While the veteran Irish skipper, 35, has faced England before in two friendlies, he is expected to lead his side out against the Three Lions for the first time in a competitive setting this weekend.
Coleman missed the Republic of Ireland's 3-0 friendly defeat by England at Wembley in 2020 having featured in the 1-1 draw at the same venue in 2013 and scoreless stalemate in Dublin two years later.
"You can most certainly tap into the emotional side of it but I think that goes with, to be honest, any time you put on that green jersey for Ireland," said Coleman, who is in line to win his 73rd cap.
"As much as it is about this historic game and England our rivals coming over, for us lads we're representing our country. Unbelievably proud to do so as well.
"We can tap into the emotional side as well, whether that's England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland because you're playing for your country. Hopefully we can do that in a positive way tomorrow, but it can't just be gung-ho emotion, you have to have a smart head as well for sure."
Ireland's New Manager Aims To Banish The Ghosts Of The Past
Having made his debut in February 2011, Coleman is the Republic of Ireland's longest-serving player.
With Heimir Hallgrimsson installed as boss, Coleman is also set to feature under his fifth manager at international level having featured in the reigns of Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny.
Coleman is one of only two Republic of Ireland players to have played at a tournament, too, with both he and Robbie Brady part of the country's Euro 2016 squad.
And he insists the team's crop of younger players must aspire to reach the finals of a tournament, with the country's last World Cup appearance coming back in 2002.
"That's the ultimate goal as an international player," said Coleman, who has been Republic of Ireland's captain since 2016.
"It's all well and good gathering caps but when all is said and done and you have your feet up when you're retired, you'll look back at the memories of France in 2016.
"That's where this group now, the younger lads, should be aspiring to get to, the major tournaments, because that's why you do it and that's where we want to be."
He added: "We need to understand why we're here. It's not to pick up caps, it's to make the country proud and the fans are crying out for tournaments.
"When you're sitting at home and you're watching them in the summer, you want to be there and the fans deserve to be there.
"Maybe we have to toughen up our mindset and make sure that qualifying is at the forefront."
A New Era Begins For Ireland
The appointment of Heimir Hallgrímsson as the Republic of Ireland manager has generated mixed reactions from fans. While some are hopeful, others remain skeptical about the new manager's ability to revive the fortunes of the national team.
Hallgrímsson has a proven track record of success in international football. He led Iceland to a historic victory over England at Euro 2016 and guided the country to their first ever World Cup appearance in 2018. However, his experience with Jamaica, where he was criticized for his handling of the Mason Greenwood situation, has raised concerns about his judgment and decision-making.
The FAI's decision to appoint Hallgrímsson, a dentist by profession, has been met with skepticism due to the organization's recent struggles with financial mismanagement and allegations of sexual harassment. Nevertheless, Hallgrímsson remains optimistic about his prospects with Ireland, emphasizing the importance of team spirit, hard work, and focus.
"If you look at the Euros, everything is achievable," he said in an interview with RTE. "You’ve seen nations that probably nobody expected to succeed – nations like Georgia, Slovenia and Slovakia – doing really well. With a good team spirit, good teamwork, hard work, focus, discipline, everything is achievable in football today and the gap between the best nations and the others is always getting smaller and smaller."
Hallgrímsson has already made a positive impact on the team, establishing a strong presence in Dublin and retaining John O’Shea as his assistant. He is also keen to downplay the significance of Ireland's upcoming Nations League match against England despite the historical rivalry between the two nations.
With a squad packed with competent players but lacking in star power, Ireland is currently struggling to find its feet. However, the team's current situation is not entirely dissimilar to the Iceland side that surprised the world at Euro 2016. Hallgrímsson's appointment offers a glimmer of hope for Ireland, and he will have a chance to prove his mettle against England on Saturday.
Can History Repeat Itself?
The Republic of Ireland's clash with England on Saturday offers a unique opportunity for Heimir Hallgrímsson. After his remarkable feat of leading Iceland to victory against England at Euro 2016, can he replicate that success with a new team, one that has been plagued by a lack of direction and consistency in recent years?
The pressure will be immense on Hallgrímsson, as Irish fans yearn for a return to the glory days of the Euro 2016 campaign. While many see this as a significant test for the new manager, some remain cautious, noting the significant challenges facing the team.
The match, however, presents a chance for Hallgrímsson to show his mettle and prove his ability to inspire a team that has been starved of victories and meaningful moments. Should he succeed in pulling off another upset against England, it would be a testament to his managerial expertise and a sign of things to come for the Republic of Ireland. But only time will tell if Hallgrímsson can replicate his Iceland triumph and rewrite the narrative for the Irish national team.
