Heimir Hallgrimsson praises Ireland ‘character’ after second-half fightback

Heimir Hallgrimsson was left with mixed emotions as he watched the Republic of Ireland scrap their way to a 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with 10-man Hungary.

Ireland got off to a dreadful start and trailed 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium after just 15 minutes, but goals from Evan Ferguson and substitute Adam Idah either side of Roland Sallai’s dismissal ultimately handed them a first Group F point from their opening fixture.

Hallgrimsson said: “I’m unhappy with the beginning and it was psychologically difficult to be 2-0 down in 15 minutes, but, as the first half went on, I felt we grew in the game so at half-time, we said, ‘We have nothing to lose, let’s go at them’.

Injury time equalisers