Heimir Hallgrímsson did a lot to endear himself to Ireland fans with their first ever Nations League win last month and news he is trying to learn Amhrán na bhFiann will only further serve his case.
The Ireland manager, who has inherited a national team which has been in decline since 2017, has had a mixed start to life as he looks to successfully succeed Stephen Kenny.
They were utterly unconvincing in losses to England and at home to Greece, before galvanising the new regime with a win against Finland and a gutsy defeat in Athens.
That 2-1 win away to Finland will have done a lot for the squad’s belief, with a rematch against the Finns and then a trip to face England on the agenda.
Hallgrímsson has been hailed for his pragmatism, making a bold call to axe the out-of-sorts Matt Doherty for the previous double-header and persisting with that decision this time around.
He has been keen to rotate his squad and explore his options too, with the real business to come in the form of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next year.
It appears his work to ingrain himself as best as he can goes beyond the training pitch too.
Heimir Hallgrímsson trying to learn Amhrán na bhFiann
The former Iceland boss – who famously stunned England at Euro 2016 when in charge of his nation – has told the Irish media this week that he has been trying to learn the words to the Irish national anthem.
Hallgrímsson explained that he is, as expected, struggling to do so given that he does not understand any of the words but he seems determined to embed them in his head.
I’ve been trying to learn it, but it’s hard!” he said.
“It’s one thing to know how to sing it but then you forget the words, you don’t know what they mean.
“I will get it at one point.”
He explained further: “The national anthem is something you should take pride in learning, even though you are a foreigner you should learn it… Maybe not sing it as there’s probably a word that is wrong!
“But it’s a nation’s pride to have the national anthem and I’m trying my best.”
You have to admire his commitment.
It makes a nice change of tune too given the media circus around Lee Carsley’s refusal to sing God Save The King when he took charge of England on an interim basis against Ireland.
7 September 2024; England interim manager Lee Carsley mistakenly sits at the Republic of Ireland bench before the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The former Ireland international faced some harsh criticism from sections of the English media for his personal decision.
While there would have been no expectation on Hallgrímsson to learn the Irish anthem, he certainly seems to be giving it a good try.
It will be worth keeping an eye to see if he gives it a fair go when Ireland and Finland meet in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday evening.