Séamus Coleman Left Out as Hallgrímsson Introduces New Players for Nations League

Séamus Coleman will sit out the Republic of Ireland’s opening Nations League campaign, as Heimir Hallgrímsson leans into a changing of the guard for a demanding run of games against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.

The 37-year-old former captain, a free agent since leaving Everton at the end of last season, has not been training with a club. That, Hallgrímsson says, made the decision inevitable – and largely Coleman's own.

“Neither Séamus nor Robbie Brady have a club so we leave them out for this camp,” said the Ireland manager. “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.”

A familiar leader is gone, for now. The door, pointedly, is not closed.

Collins out, Kitching in

In defence, Hallgrímsson has been forced into a significant reshuffle. Nathan Collins, the Ireland and Brentford captain, misses out with a calf injury and is expected to be sidelined for five weeks.

Into the gap steps Liam Kitching, the latest English-born, Irish-qualified player to be drafted into the senior set-up. The Sheffield United defender joins a back line that also includes James Abankwah, Joel Bagan, Jimmy Dunne, John Egan, Ryan Manning, Jake O’Brien, Dara O’Shea and Liam Scales.

The goalkeeping department remains familiar: Caoimhin Kelleher, now at Brentford, is joined by Max O’Leary of West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers’ Gavin Bazunu.

Elding poised for debut, Lawal backed despite injury

Up front, there is a fresh edge. Owen Elding, the former Sligo Rovers attacker who moved to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last season, is in line for his first cap. He joins a forward group featuring Adam Idah, Jack Moylan, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott, Rocco Vata and Tom Cannon.

In midfield, Bosun Lawal’s inclusion stands out. Named alongside Harvey Vale, Jayson Molumby, Finn Azaz, Conor Coventry, Jason Knight and Jamie McGrath, the Stoke City man has been listed as a midfielder and clearly sits high in Hallgrímsson’s plans – even though he is currently injured.

“I hope so,” Hallgrímsson said when asked if Lawal can nail down a role in the middle of the park. “But he is injured. We rate him so highly that we feel it is necessary that we have him around the squad.”

That faith comes at the expense of others. Sammie Szmodics is again overlooked, while Vata returns to the fold after an injury lay-off, adding another attacking option for the four-game block.

Israel bring firepower – and a familiar link

Ireland will see plenty of Israel over the coming weeks, and Ran Ben-Shimon has named a squad with real quality for their clashes against Austria in Linz, Ireland and Kosovo in Debrecen, and the later ‘home’ meeting with Ireland at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola.

Anan Khalaili, the Arab-Israeli wing back, is included after an impressive start to life at Crystal Palace following his €25 million move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. He is working there alongside Ireland coach Paddy McCarthy, a small but intriguing link between the two camps.

Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh is also in the group. He featured against Shelbourne last month in the first leg of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers but stayed on the bench for the return at Tolka Park. His creativity will be central to Israel’s plans against Hallgrímsson’s side.

Irish fans, though, will struggle to do their own homework online – the official Israel football association website is geoblocked in Ireland.

Turmoil in Kosovo camp before opener

Ireland’s campaign begins in Pristina next Thursday, and the build-up in Kosovo has been anything but calm.

There are ongoing and very public problems in Franco Foda’s squad, with several key players pulling out in solidarity with Napoli defender Amir Rrahamni. The centre-back has walked away from the national team under the current leadership of the Kosovo football federation.

“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.

His stance has rippled through the dressing room. Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Murić and Juventus midfielder Edon Zhegrova are also believed to have declined call-ups for the Nations League fixtures.

For Ireland, that turmoil could present an opening on matchday one. Or it could harden a wounded opponent on home soil.

Full Republic of Ireland squad

• 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)

Ireland’s Nations League fixtures

• 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 will watch this window from the outside, his future still hovering over the squad. The question now is whether this new-look Ireland can lay down a marker before their old leader walks back through the door.