‘It’s more our job to cool them down’ – Heimir Hallgrimsson ditches Ireland history lesson to focus on beating England

Boys in Green boss aware of rivalry, but wants repeat of ‘special’ Iceland victory at Euro 2016

But the Ireland manager is hoping for a repeat of a success he oversaw for his native Iceland against England at Euro 2016.

This is a first competitive meeting of the nations since 1991, four friendly games since then including the abandoned Lansdowne Road match of 1995, and the presence of former Ireland players Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in an England squad managed by ex-Ireland international Lee Carsley have only added to the sense of occasion.

Hallgrimsson says he has been made aware of the historical context of the Ireland-England rivalry, but he’s playing down the non-football background to the clash to focus on the job in hand, outwitting a side ranked fourth in the world.

Ireland v England preview

“I’ve been briefed on those things. I think for us coaches it’s probably not necessary to motivate the players to play against England. It’s probably the opposite for us,…