The energy is coming, leaders are emerging; Heimir Hallgrimsson believes that the players have responded well to the clear and coherent instruction coming from the coaching staff, and the manager has also maintained that level of consistency when it comes to speaking about the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Confidence of qualification has been the manager's clear message since the opening days of his tenure, and based on what has been witnessed this week, the belief appears to be building throughout both players and coaching staff, with Paddy McCarthy declaring that Ireland are on the cusp of something special.
The road to the 2026 World Cup finally gets going in a six-game campaign, which the manager referred to as a sprint, with the entirety lasting just 70 days from Saturday until 16 November in Budapest for the return match with tomorrow’s opponents.
The final fixture could well prove decisive, however, this opener against Hungary is likely to set the tone for Hallgrimsson’s Ireland side and the manager is under no illusions regarding its importance.
"The energy is coming," said Hallgrimsson, speaking at the pre-match press conference. "I think more and more leaders are emerging, and I think that has been down to consistent messages to the players.
"Once you know what is expected, you become a better leader, so I think that is why people are feeling more secure. I feel there are more and more players now who are kind of growing, and that brings energy, leadership and confidence."
It is less than 12 months since Ireland were humiliated at Wembley Stadium, and while they have since recorded impressive performances with back-to-back wins against Bulgaria, it was no surprise that the manager was asked as to what this belief is based on.
"First of all it’s the team, I think we have a strong team, we are all in sync, we have all been tactically improving in every camp, in my opinion," he said.
"This is a young squad that, in the past, didn’t have many wins, so confidence was low. But I think they feel it themselves, they are getting stronger with every game we play, with every camp, and I feel the same.
"The quality in this team is big, it’s bigger than when I had Iceland, and we achieved what we did. There is more individual quality in this team. The team building thing is what gives me confidence."
And when asked where he saw the real development in the squad throughout his tenure over the last 12 months, the manager took his time, eventually answering after a pause, which certainly added to the drama of an opening World Cup campaign.
"Good question!" said Hallgrimsson. "I think it's been there all the time, but to see it kind of emerge and see it with my own eyes, that these players probably had low self-confidence from losing in the past, young players, and just seeing them growing.
"It looks like they are taller today than when I came a year ago, so that is what has been for me most impressive and that's why I say I feel the energy more now than I did in the beginning.
"A new coach, they probably didn't know what to expect but I have felt it slowly growing, this unity in the team now."
As for the campaign, Hallgrimsson is happy that the conversation is based on the race for second place with Hungary, rather than competing with Portugal for top spot and an automatic qualification berth.
Hallgrimsson, no doubt, can still visualise a path to that coveted top spot, however, he is pragmatic enough to lower expectations, knowing that beating Hungary on Saturday night is paramount to sending a statement and avoiding a slow start, which has hampered many a campaign in recent years.
"Yes, it’s natural, that’s the seeding in the group," he said, regarding targeting second spot.
"Portugal comes first, everybody expects Portugal to be first, and then it’s a small gap between ourselves and Hungary on the FIFA ranking, but still they are ranked higher than us, so everybody would expect that it will be between us.
"I think there are going to be dropped points in more places than just us and Hungary. But not kidding, this game is hugely important for the rest of the campaign, given the nature of the campaign, only six games in 70 days.
"It’s going to be a sprint and it’s always nice when you are in a sprint to have the lead and not be chasing."
And looking ahead to the game, Hallgrimsson can pick from a fully fit squad, with Liam Scales coming through a full training session on Thursday having arrived in camp a slight concern following the weekend’s Old Firm clash.
"No [injuries], pretty happy with the squad," said Hallgrimsson. "They’ve all been training, Scalesy was the only one that came in with a slight injury, but he trained fully yesterday and he’s going to train fully today, so a fit and ready squad.
"Everyone likes to play, but unfortunately we can only start with 11 players."
Confidence might be high in the Ireland camp, however, the manager is being very careful not to underestimate the opponents, and giving them complete respect ahead of the game, knowing the tough task that awaits.
"First, they have individual quality at a high standard," he said. "We know all about dead balls so don't give them free kicks in dangerous places.
"I think their strength is more collective; it's a team that has been playing together for a long time, a good age on this squad, at the top of their careers and they have had the same coach for lots of years.
"There is consistency in what they are trying to do and they are good at it - quick combinations, play, movement etc, there is a lot of understanding between individuals in this team. That is always good when you have a national team."
Only 11 can play, says the manager, however, he made sure to issue a rallying cry to the 50-odd thousand that will descend on Lansdowne Road on Saturday evening, wanting to make sure that the energy in the stands matches what’s happening in this ever-emerging squad.
"We can’t ask more people to come, because it’s a sell-out," said the manager. "But for those who come, definitely the same message that we have said before; come to create the atmosphere, come to become the 12th man, to make the atmosphere, don’t come just to enjoy it, make it happen with us, and together we can do amazing things."
Originally Posted by elatedscum
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...that gets your foot in the door...you still need to work hard to overcome all the other obstacles i mentioned above...
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