DAMIEN DUFF has hailed the appointment of Heimir Hallgrimsson as the new Ireland boss.
And he had a pop at departed FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill by saying he believed the Icelander when he said that he would live here to perform the role.
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On Hallgrimsson, Duff said: “I think he’s a brilliant appointment.
“Why? You just have to look at ’16 and ’18, the Icelandic team, absolutely amazing.”
After his official unveiling as Stephen Kenny’s successor, Hallgrimsson was in Tolka Park to see Duff’s Shelbourne side defeat St Joseph’s 2-1 in the Europa Conference League.
And he was in Dalymount Park 24 hours later to watch Bohemians take on Sligo Rovers.
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Duff — who on Wednesday called for the FAI’s HQ to be levelled and 90 per cent of its staff sacked — did not get to meet Hallgrimsson.
But he made a point of applauding when his presence in the ground was acknowledged on the PA system.
The Shels gaffer added: “I would have loved to have met him. I think he’s fascinating.”
Duff cited Iceland’s win over England at the European Championships and their 1-1 draw against the South Americans at the World Cup when Lionel Messi missed a penalty in a 1-1 result as reasons to be excited.
He said: “I remember watching against Argentina, absolutely organised.
“I know you all think I hammer the FAI but I cannot wait to see what he does with the team.
“I’ll find it absolutely fascinating. I would have loved to gone up and given him a hug after the game.
“The thing about him, I believe him when he says he’s going to live in Ireland.
“A few people have said that over the last couple of years and they haven’t but I believe him.
“It’s commitment, that’s all it is. It’s absolutely as simple as that.
“No other words to describe it, he’s obviously fully invested.
“If I get an hour or two over the next couple of weeks I will absolutely be downloading the English game where he was joint-manager.
“And they did a job on them, and the Argentina game just to learn from him, because he has done so much more in his career than I ever probably will do.
“I can’t wait to see him working and what he does.”