Matt Doherty was once again the most notable absentee from the Ireland squad named by Heimir Hallgrímsson on Thursday afternoon.
The Wolves right-back featured in both of Hallgrímsson's first two games in charge, coming in for heavy criticism for his lackadaisical defensive efforts in the 2-0 home defeat to Greece.
His performances against the Greeks and England saw him dropped from the squad for the October window of games. In fact, Doherty has played only 13 minutes of Premier League football since the dire defeat to Greece in Dublin - coming on late in defeat to Newcastle and again being criticised by pundits for his defensive work.
Despite all of the above, an interview with Doherty late last month garnered plenty of reaction from Ireland fans. Doherty acknowledged that he had not been enjoying regular minutes - but seemed to suggest he should be namedi n the Ireland squad regardless.
But obviously I should be in the squad, even if I’m not playing or not going to play I should still obviously be in there. But yeah, I’m patient. I wasn’t happy, but I got to spend time with my kids. I do expect to be in the next squad.
On Thursday afternoon, head coach Hallgrímsson responded to Doherty's contentious quotes.
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Heimir Hallgrímsson explains Matt Doherty's absence from Ireland squad
4 September 2024; Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson with players, from left, Callum O’Dowda, Dara O'Shea and Matt Doherty during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Facing the media after naming his final Ireland squad of 2024, Heimir Hallgrímsson repeated last month's explanation for why Matt Doherty had once again been excluded.
When leaving Doherty out of the squad for last month's games against Finland and Greece, head coach Hallgrímsson suggested it was down to a desire to blood new players in the Ireland squad. On Thursday, he said that his reasoning had not changed - despite the recall for veteran Seamus Coleman in the same position.
The same as the last press conference. I explained and, again, I say it now - we want to explore other players in that position.
We know exactly what he can do, him and Seamus have been kind of stuck in the starting XI for Ireland for a long time. They have done really good for the nation.
We know exactly what he can give us, so we don't need to see him or test him. This is the last chance [to test players] before the seriousness starts.
Hallgrímsson has repeated his line about testing players before next year's World Cup qualifiers, though Doherty is one of the only players of his generation to have missed out on back-to-back squads under the Icelandic coach.
Since being omitted last time out, Doherty gave his eyebrow-raising interview to The42. Hallgrímsson was asked about those quotes at Thursday's press conference, and revealed he had not read the interview but somewhat empathised with Doherty's stance. He also said that he had not spoken with the right-back since that interview was published.
I haven't [spoken to Doherty]. I have to be honest, I didn't read it, I just heard about it.
Listen, all players should feel that they should be playing and they should have the confidence to feel that they should be playing. I will be unhappy if somebody thinks that they didn't deserve to play.
He has a lot of experience that can help us. Like I said, now we want to test other players in these positions.
When asked if he thought Doherty would play for Ireland again, Hallgrímsson simply said, "I hope so."
Despite this, we will not see the Wolves man in an Ireland jersey before the end of this year. Until we see Hallgrímsson's first Ireland squad of 2025, Matt Doherty's long-term place in the Ireland squad seems unclear.
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