Séamus Coleman Left Out as Hallgrímsson Refreshes Ireland Squad

Séamus Coleman will sit out the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League triple-header after Heimir Hallgrímsson opted against calling up the 37-year-old free agent for the games against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.

Coleman, who departed Everton at the end of last season and has yet to sign for a new club, remains very much in the manager’s thoughts, but not for this camp.

“Neither Séamus nor Robbie Brady have a club so we leave them out for this camp,” Hallgrímsson explained. “Séamus will be with us in the future, hopefully as a player. He hasn’t been training with a team so we felt it was appropriate that he sits this camp out. It was more Séamus’ decision as it would not be fair on other players.”

So Ireland head into a significant block of fixtures without their long-time captain, and without Brady, but with a squad that leans heavily into the next wave.

New faces, new roles

Liam Kitching is the latest English-born, Irish-qualified player to be drafted in, covering for injured Brentford and Ireland skipper Nathan Collins. The centre-half is out with a calf problem and is expected to miss around five weeks.

Up front, there is a potential debut for Owen Elding. The former Sligo Rovers attacker, who moved to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last season, is in line for his first cap. His call-up adds another fresh attacking option to a group already in transition.

Bosun Lawal is listed as a midfielder this time, alongside Harvey Vale and Jayson Molumby, underlining Hallgrímsson’s belief that the Stoke City man can grow into a central role.

“I hope so,” the manager said when asked if Lawal can establish himself in midfield. “But he is injured. We rate him so highly that we feel it is necessary that we have him around the squad.”

Even injured, Lawal’s presence is considered important. Sammie Szmodics, by contrast, misses out, while Rocco Vata returns after his own injury lay-off to bolster the forward line.

Turmoil in Kosovo, strength in Israel

Ireland’s opening opponents, Kosovo, are engulfed in open conflict between senior players and the federation. Several key names have withdrawn from the squad in support of Napoli defender Amir Rrahamni, who has walked away from international duty for now.

“After 10 years, seven as captain, I will not be part of the Kosovo squad as long as the FKK is led by its current individuals,” Rrahamni declared.

Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Murić and Juventus midfielder Edon Zhegrova are also believed to have rejected call-ups to Franco Foda’s panel. Ireland arrive in Pristina next Thursday facing a team in disarray, at least off the pitch.

Israel, by contrast, have named a strong group. Head coach Ran Ben-Shimon has included Anan Khalaili, the Arab-Israeli wing back who has started brightly at Crystal Palace since his €25 million move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. At Selhurst Park he is working under Paddy McCarthy, who also serves on Ireland’s coaching staff, adding an extra layer of familiarity to that contest.

Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh is also in the Israel squad for the games against Austria in Linz, Ireland and Kosovo in Debrecen, before Israel face Ireland again in Bačka Topola. Gloukh featured against Shelbourne in the first leg of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers last month but did not get off the bench in the return at Tolka Park.

The backdrop to all of this is complicated in Ireland, where the official Israel football association website is geoblocked.

Ireland squad in full

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)
Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
Forwards: Owen Elding (Hibernian), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Rocco Vata (Watford), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)

The road ahead

Ireland’s Nations League schedule is demanding and unusual, with a “home” game against Israel moved to neutral ground in Serbia.

Thursday, September 24th: Kosovo v Republic of Ireland, Pristina, 7.45pm
Sunday, September 27th: Israel v Republic of Ireland, Debrecen, Hungary, 7.45pm
Thursday, October 1st: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
Sunday, October 4th: Israel v Republic of Ireland, Bačka Topola, Serbia, 7.45pm

Coleman watches on for now, the armband in other hands, as Hallgrímsson leans into a younger core. The question is simple: can this reshaped Ireland use a turbulent group to carve out real momentum, or will the absence of their old leader be felt when the pressure bites deepest?