Doherty Affirms Good Relationship with Hallgrimsson Amid Omission

Matt Doherty, the Wolves defender, expressed contentment with his relationship with Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, despite previous tensions regarding his omission from the squad. Doherty had publicly criticized Hallgrimsson after feeling 'disrespected' when not selected for the October matches against Finland and Greece. He stated that they cleared the air during the last camp and that he stands by his earlier comments. The 33-year-old has since returned to the squad, emphasizing that his performance at Wolves has been key to his inclusion. Assistant manager John O'Shea noted that Doherty's form significantly improves when he is playing regularly. As Ireland prepares for their Nations League play-off against Bulgaria, Doherty remains focused on contributing positively to the team.