‘This is not going to be a friendly’: Heimir Hallgrímsson sets tone ahead of Israel rematch

It started with an abject defeat in Kosovo before moving on to Hungary, where dark clouds gathered over the Republic of Ireland’s team hotel ahead of their 3-0 victory against Israel. There was a brief return to Dublin for Thursday’s home match against Austria and now it’s on to Serbia for another Nations League clash with Israel. Irish football has not known such a tense period since Saipan.

The conclusion of the longest Nations League window since Uefa attempted to consign friendly internationals to the dustbin of history will happen on Sunday night inside an empty TSC Arena in the quiet Serbian town of Bačka Topola.