Dara O’Shea says manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is giving Ireland their identity back.
Ireland produced a battling display against Senegal on Friday night, showing grit and determination across the pitch.
They looked on course to secure an impressive 1-0 win thanks to Kasey McAteer’s first half goal.
However, Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr ensured the spoils were shared with just eight minutes to go.
There were plenty of positives to carry forward into the Luxembourg clash on Tuesday evening. A consistent run of results and performances will also only benefit Hallgrimsson’s chances of extending his stay in the dugout.
Ipswich Town defender O’Shea believes there has been one key ingredient that Hallgrimsson has instilled after nine matches in charge.
Dara O’Shea praises Hallgrimsson for providing Ireland identity
He said: “We understand the way the manager wants us to play and how he wants us to be as a nation. That’s the identity of us as Irish people too.
“Against Senegal, our reaction in the middle of the park, we lost the ball, we got around it.
“There were some big tackles, some big blocks. That’s something that we’ve kind of come away from as a nation, which we should never – that’s our identity, we’re hard working people.
“With every successful team, the fundamental is hard work.
“You watch PSG in the Champions League final, they’ve got all the talent in the world but they worked hard as well and that’s what got them there.
“We’ve that embedded in us as Irish people, so we’ve got to show that on the pitch and not take the moments for granted.”
Ireland gaining momentum at a crucial time
It’s now three games unbeaten for Ireland following their double over Bulgaria in March.
Ireland will be expected to make it four games this week, their last opportunity to experiment before the World Cup qualifiers.
Hungary, Armenia and Portugal stand in their way if they want to qualify for the tournament in USA and Mexico in 2026.
O’Shea says putting together a consistent run of results shouldn’t be overlooked. He added: “There’s obviously a mentality aspect of football and winning games and keeping that momentum going is massive.
“It’s something we haven’t really had as a nation for a while now. It’s something this group hasn’t had at all really.
“So it’s important that we keep building and don’t take the games for granted because before we know it we’ll be in the World Cup campaign and right in the thick of it.
“You only get one chance to qualify, so it’s important that we make the most of every moment we can.
“The manager believes in us as a group and he believes in himself. That’s massive when you can feel the manager believes in you as a group.”
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