Everton's club captain feared his international career was over when he missed out on the Republic of Ireland squad at the start of the season. Now, a World Cup dream is very much alive
Seamus Coleman celebrates Ireland's dramatic late winner against Hungary
Seamus Coleman celebrates Ireland's dramatic late winner against Hungary
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Seamus Coleman has revealed he feared his international career was over when he was dropped from the Republic of Ireland squad earlier this season.
Everton’s club captain was forced to reckon with the prospect of his Ireland career having ended on someone else’s terms when he missed out on the World Cup qualifiers during the first international break of the campaign.
That came after a start to the season in which Blues and Ireland teammate Jake O’Brien started as Everton's right back, Coleman's lack of Premier League minutes appearing to impact Heimir Hallgrimsson's plans. Just three months later he has returned to the fore and played a central role in taking Ireland to the brink of a shock qualification for the World Cup.
Coleman, who turned 37 this year, was speaking after Troy Parrott’s hat-trick secured a surprise comeback win in Hungary to take Ireland through to the play-offs for the tournament, to be held in the USA next summer. It followed three consecutive victories, against Armenia, Portugal and then in Budapest, all of which Coleman was key to.
Reflecting on his reaction to missing out on the September games - a home draw with Hungary and away defeat to Armenia - Coleman said: "After the first two games, I couldn't foresee coming back to play a part in this. It hurt me a lot, but I've been hurt plenty of times up here. It's about being professional and doing the right things. I've always believed in myself. Maybe if the Armenia game went a different way, you wouldn't see me, so maybe selfishly, I had an opportunity to come back and show what I can do, so happy days."
Coleman signed a new deal with Everton in the summer to extend his playing career for a further season. David Moyes wanted the defender’s experience and influence in the dressing room through a key period of transition on and off the pitch.
He has played just two minutes of Premier League football so far this season, however, his two starts both coming in the Carabao Cup. Coleman's valuable performances for Ireland have come with Everton still facing uncertainty at right back, with James Garner having taken the place of O'Brien in the win over Fulham.
As Ireland celebrated on Sunday night, the authority he held within the international set-up was clear. In quotes reported by RTE, he said: "The team has changed the opinions of a lot of people in the last week, and that's what I wanted for them because they deserve it. It's not easy, sometimes. Playing for Ireland is a privilege, we love it, but it comes with pressure and I'm delighted for them.
Seamus Coleman turned in an immense display against Hungary
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"I'm proud of the young lads. They had to take a bit of criticism. They were dead and buried after the first couple of games, so everyone thought. What a window. We talked about belief. Once you put this [shirt] on, you've got to believe and try to get that through to the group, and we did. The lads did amazingly. I'm just so happy for the younger lads, they fully deserved it."
Coleman, who played in Euro 2016 with Ireland, now has the chance to work towards a World Cup in a summer in which his Everton career will once again require thought.
He said: "Listen, the boring side of me says enjoy now, but nothing is done yet. We want to get to the World Cup, but confidence is massive. It starts with belief, it starts with doing the right things as soon as you come into camp, it starts with not taking coming into camp for granted, training properly, respecting the people around you and believing. We've done that and we're absolutely delighted."