Heimir Hallgrimsson tells Jack Moylan he warrants Nations League place

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has told Jack Moylan he has done enough to warrant inclusion in his Nations League squad despite being sent off during the friendly victory over Qatar.

The Lincoln striker received his marching orders on the stroke of half-time in Thursday night’s 1-0 win over the World Cup-bound Qataris in Dublin having earlier provided the free-kick from which skipper Nathan Collins scored the game’s only goal.

Moylan, who scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over Grenada on debut earlier this month, impressed once again before his untimely departure and while Hallgrimsson wants to see how he fares in next season’s Sky Bet Championship after helping the Imps to the League One title, he has been duly impressed.

Asked if the 24-year-old had done enough to be included in the squad for the start of the new Nations League campaign in September, the Icelander said: “Absolutely.

“But when his season starts and he’s playing one league higher than he did last season. Let’s see how he does.

“Until the end of September, it’s probably a few games in the Championship he needs to play, so let’s see how he starts next season. But the potential is there, 100 per cent.”

Collins’ fifth-minute header ultimately proved decisive on a night when protests over October’s scheduled clash with Israel in Dublin perhaps heralded what is to come amid the ongoing controversy over the fixture.

However, Ireland had to play for 33 minutes of the second half with only 10 men after Moylan was harshly dismissed by Northern Irish referee Jamie Robinson for a challenge on Jassem Gaber as the half-time whistle approached, only for substitute Almoez Ali to even up the numbers once again after hitting out at Jayson Molumby with 12