Ireland players ‘all uncomfortable’ ahead of ‘home’ Israel tie, says Heimir Hallgrimsson

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Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed his side remain uncertain about how they will approach Sunday’s ‘home’ behind-closed-doors Nations League fixture with Israel in Serbia.

A majority of players, described as “significant” by the Football Association of Ireland, ultimately elected to fulfil their ‘away’ clash in Debrecen, Hungary, a contest that was swirling in a debate that shows little sign of abating before Thursday’s meeting with Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

On Saturday, FAI president Paul Cooke reaffirmed their intention was to play Israel again in Backa Topola, but said his organisation was taking things “one game at a time”.

Hallgrimsson, also speaking after the 3-0 triumph in Hungary, said of the situation: “We haven’t decided what we will do 100 per cent. When we get home tonight, we’ll give them a day off tomorrow to go home, and share a day with their families and friends and loved ones, and then we’ll come back and prepare for the Austria game.

“Hopefully we can finish that one and take a discussion.”

Gavin Bazunu was the only member of the Republic squad to officially make himself unavailable for selection for the Israel matches, but, as of Saturday, the plan was for the Bolton goalkeeper to remain with the team and be with them for the Austria match.

Asked if it was fair to say there were vastly differing opinions among his men over the Israel tie, Hallgrimsson said: “All I can say is I think we are all uncomfortable, number one.

“Number two, we have different opinions, and we should allow people to have different opinions. It’s not one opinion that’s right and all the others are wrong.

“We have different players in the squad that come from different backgrounds, so we need to be careful that everybody has a say in our decisions. But it’s tough when there are different decisions.

“Just like politics, some parties just can’t work together, but it’s been amazing and I hope you will see the tough times the players have been through and come out as winners, because they want to represent their country.

“That’s their desire. I hope everybody sees that.”

Bazunu came forward on Saturday morning to outline his stance, which he later confirmed in a statement on Instagram. That triggered a lengthy team meeting that resulted in the vote to proceed with the first Israel clash.

Hallgrimsson has repeatedly insisted he and his team have found themselves in a no-win situation. Even after Sunday’s contest – in which players wore black armbands, refused handshakes and bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem – sentiment remains deeply divided over their actions and decisions.

The Ireland boss nevertheless does not fear Bazunu will be perceived as “good” or the rest of the players “bad” in Dublin.

“I think both can come out as winners,” he added. “It was obviously a brave decision for Gav to do it. It was tough for us and a lot of players, and we needed to react, but obviously everyone supports Gav and don’t want him to feel bad about what he did.

“It would have been better for me as a coach that the decision came earlier, but when he told me, he explained that overnight he’d changed his mind and didn’t want to play.

“That’s understandable. Nobody forces a player to play for us.”