Republic of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson has ‘big respect’ for Seamus Coleman as World Cup dream dies

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says he has “big respect” for how veteran defender Seamus Coleman has “given everything” to his country’s cause.

Coleman, 37, played 96 minutes of Thursday’s heartbreaking World Cup play-off semi-final shootout loss to the Czech Republic in Prague.

While the Everton stalwart would not be drawn on his international future in the immediate aftermath, his career is almost certain to end without having represented the Republic of Ireland at a World Cup.

“I’m especially sad for him, but just for everyone because it was so close,” said Hallgrimsson.

“To play in the World Cup and to have this game [play-off final] at the Aviva [Stadium] would have been special.

“Obviously he has given everything to this team in his life, so big respect to him like all the others.”

Hallgrimsson left Coleman out of his squad for the first two World Cup qualifiers, but last week admitted the defender “proved me wrong” after he defied a lack of club action to play a big part in the remaining four fixtures, including November’s wins over Portugal and Hungary.

When quizzed on his future, Coleman said: “I’ll be honest, it’s not something I’m thinking about, talking about myself after the nation, the supporters, the players went out in the manner that we went out.

“It would be selfish and it’s not something that I’ve really dissected myself at the minute.”