Heimir Hallgrimsson will send his Republic of Ireland team into their decisive Nations League play-off second leg clash with Bulgaria knowing the job is only half-done.
Ireland emerged from Thursday night’s trip to Plovdiv with a 2-1 victory which means they need only to avoid defeat in Dublin to secure their League B status.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game.
To B, or not to B?
An important first-leg win away from home ✅
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 20, 2025
Now to finish the job on Sunday 👊🇮🇪
Ireland have spent their entire Nations League history in League B, at times flirting with the drop to League C without ever threatening to nudge their way in among Europe’s big boys. They have won only five of the 23 games they have played in the competition and Heimir Hallgrimsson’s return of three victories from his seven fixtures suggest a measure of progress is being made. A fourth would cement that feeling.
Resilient Republic
Morning 💚
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 21, 2025
Roll on Sunday 🤩 pic.twitter.com/z9n1L34hMc
Perhaps significantly, two of Hallgrimsson’s three wins – away to Finland during the Nations League group phase and in Bulgaria on Thursday evening – have come after his team had fallen behind. That is something Ireland had not done previously in a competitive match since they beat Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in October 2013; when a Robbie Keane penalty, John O’Shea’s strike and Dmitriy Shomko’s own goal, after he had scored the opener, saw the hosts prevail 3-1.
Half-century for Doc?
A brave header from Matt to complete the turnaround ⚽️💪
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2025
And a punch to the ear for his troubles 😅🥊 pic.twitter.com/edeKnItsAP
Wolves defender Matt Doherty was less than impressed when new manager Hallgrimsson left him out of his squad in October last year and made his feelings abundantly clear. However, the 33-year-old has fought his way back into contention and marked his 49th cap in Plovdiv with what proved to be the winning goal, a contribution which did his chances of reaching a personal landmark in Dublin little harm.
Frustration for Fergie
There was a time not so very long ago when Evan Ferguson carried Ireland’s hopes for a bright future squarely on his young shoulders. However, the 20-year-old Brighton striker’s fortunes have plummeted since and a loan move to West Ham has afforded him only five appearances as a substitute to date in which to regain his form and confidence. With AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott getting the nod in Bulgaria, he may have to be patient once again.
When Irish eyes are smiling
Bulgaria embarked upon their two-legged showdown with Hallgrimsson’s men having lost just once in their previous 12 games, although that defeat came on the island of Ireland, a 5-0 Nations League humbling by Northern Ireland on October last year. The omens for a reversal of the fate they suffered on Thursday night are not promising – the four previous competitive meetings with the Republic all ended in draws.
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