Heimir Hallgrimsson: Republic of Ireland manager content with World Cup group

Hallgrimsson suggested he didn’t have a preference in terms of whether Portugal or Denmark win their Uefa Nations League play-off in March to secure the Group F berth alongside the Irish, Hungary and Armenia.

“Both these teams play similar types of football. Both possession teams, creative players, really good on the ball both teams.

“Portugal has better individuals, technically better individuals but I think Denmark has a really good collective team. In Scandinavia, they are the best, in regards to technique etc, pressing.”

The Republic of Ireland manager indicated that the condensed period of autumn qualifiers as opposed to beginning the campaign in June was to his preference.

“The most important thing for us was to be in a group of four teams playing this September-October-November window. It comes quick. It finishes in three months. So hopefully, everybody will be fit and ready.

“Now we know who we are playing, we can try to find opponents in June who will be similar to the ones we are playing.”