LAST UPDATE | 20 Mar

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Heimir Hallgrímsson will put an emphasis on tactical flexibility in tonight’s Uefa Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Bulgaria.

Ireland’s shape in Plovdiv looks set to be a flexible ’5+5′ when in possession — with five in attack, and five in a rest defence – in a bid to avoid dropping into League C.

In his pre-match press conference yesterday, the Icelander described Bulgaria as “electric going forward, [with] individual skills in counterattack, so rest defence is very important.”

To counter the home side’s threat, Ireland will seek to win the numbers game throughout the pitch.

To give a sense of the upheaval since the last time the squad were together, neither centre back who started the 5-0 away defeat to England is involved this time around. Liam Scales is suspended due to the red card for conceding the penalty early in the second half that opened the floodgates.

Mark McGuinness of Luton Town had been alongside the Celtic man that evening but was edged out of the 23-man squad due to James Abankwah’s emergence at Watford – and ability to play left side – as well as Jake O’Brien becoming a fixture in the Premier League with Everton, and Jimmy Dunne’s consistency at Queens Park Rangers.

Dunne had also caught the eye with his ability to play centrally or at right back, and since arriving in camp his positive and competitive personality has won admirers.

Since making his debut in the 2-1 win away to Finland last October, Scales had made himself a fixture in Hallgrímsson’s starting XI. The Ireland boss knew that he had to prepare for this leg without the former Shamrock Rovers man because of that sending off but injury had also hampered him at club level in recent weeks.

Robbie Brady’s return to fitness is timely as his set-piece delivery is valued as highly as his leadership qualities by the Ireland manager.

It’s not just in defence where Hallgrímsson has been required to tweak things. Sammie Szmodics was an ever present in 2024 but surgery means he is not involved, while Chiedozie Ogbene and Festy Ebosele are two more absentees who would have likely played key roles.

Adam Idah was the sole striker against England with Szmodics and Ogbene wider and a midfield two of Will Smallbone and Jayson Molumby.

Of that quintet only Idah is in this squad and it’s more likely that there will be a front two of Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson with a narrower three behind of Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and Finn Azaz, although the width offered by Mikey Johnston is a considerable option given it was his pace, skill and delivery that teed up Ferguson for the only goal in the home win over Finland last November.

Hallgrímsson will hope his willingness to adapt pays off with a positive result ahead of the second leg in Dublin on Sunday. Only then will the Ireland manager really be able to narrow his focus for the World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn.

– Updated 9:55am: This piece has been updated to amend earlier reporting on Ireland’s likely tactical approach and expected team selection.