Heimir Hallgrímsson calls Cristiano Ronaldo’s outburst a moment of silliness

Heimir Hallgrímsson, the Republic of Ireland manager, discussed Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial behavior during a recent press conference. This followed Portugal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Ireland in Lisbon. Hallgrímsson emphasized how Ronaldo’s influence extended beyond the pitch, affecting both referees and the stadium crowd.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Control Over Matches

Speaking ahead of Ireland’s impressive 2-0 win at the Aviva Stadium, Hallgrímsson described how Ronaldo seemingly manipulated the atmosphere in Portugal. He stated, “In Portugal, he was not only controlling the referee; he was controlling the whole stadium.” This sentiment points to Ronaldo’s power to sway referee decisions and fan support.

Ronaldo’s Impact on Game Dynamics

• Ronaldo’s actions led to a yellow card for goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher due to alleged time-wasting.
• Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, resulting in further controversy.
• The incident garnered attention with Ronaldo’s dramatic gestures toward O’Shea as he left the field.

“It was his action on the pitch. Nothing to do with me, unless I got into his head,” Hallgrímsson remarked on Ronaldo’s conduct. Following the match, he dismissed the idea of a meaningful conversation about their exchange, labeling it as a “moment of silliness.”

Hallgrímsson Comments on Red Cards at Aviva Stadium

Interestingly, the Aviva Stadium has witnessed three straight red cards during Ireland’s three World Cup qualifiers so far. These were shown to:

• Roland Sallai (Hungary)
• Tigran Barseghyan (Armenia)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Hallgrímsson speculated that the electric atmosphere created by the fans could be a contributing factor. “Maybe it shakes them. Long may that continue,” he added, hinting at the home advantage’s role.

Future Concerns with Evan Ferguson

Looking ahead, Hallgrímsson was asked about Evan Ferguson’s availability for the critical Group F fixture against Hungary. He mentioned that a decision would be made following the evaluations from Roma’s medical staff. Hallgrímsson confirmed, “Evan trained yesterday and he should have trained today,” although he noted Ferguson would not be at full fitness.

This ongoing assessment will take into account Ferguson’s readiness before the upcoming match, which remains crucial for the team’s campaign.