Hallgrimsson wants praise for recalling Coleman this month

Hallgrimsson reckons he deserves praise for his decision to recall Seamus Coleman, rather than criticism for the Everton star's omission last month.

- By MARK McCADDEN

THE WIN IS SECURED Heimir Hallgrimsson with Finn Azaz after Ireland beat Armenia at Lansdowne Road

HEIMIR Hallgrímsson reckons he deserves praise for his decision to recall Seamus Coleman, rather than criticism for the Everton star's omission last month.

Coleman showed the Boys in Green boss what he missed with a couple of outstanding performances against Portugal in Lisbon last Saturday and during Tuesday's 1-0 win over Armenia.

The Donegalman rolled back the years with an inspirational and tireless display.

He set the tone for a much-improved team performance in the second-half when he crashed into visiting goalkeeper Henri Avagyan, earning himself a yellow card in the process.

That caution may well have influenced Hallgrímsson's decision to withdraw the 37-year-old in the 65th minute, as he rejigged his team to capitalise on the red card to Armenia's Tigran Barseghyan, because Coleman had shown no sign of slowing down by that stage.

In the moments up to his substitution he was still racing up and down the right flank and shouting words of encouragement to teammates.

The Euro 2016 veteran turned back the clock with his two performances, begging the question - how might Ireland have fared last month with the Killybegs native running the show from right-back?

Hallgrímsson wasn't prepared to speculate.

“We can't have the luxury of thinking backwards,” said the former Iceland manager, responding to that question. “It's your (media's) job (to look back), it’s our job as coaches to select in the now, take decisions.