Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland are unbeaten in their past three matches
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned that Luxembourg will be no easy task and a win will be "really good for us" when they meet in Tuesday's friendly.
In years gone by, Luxembourg may have been viewed as a minnow of European football, but that no longer applies, with a 1-0 win over Sweden in March a barometer of how far they have come.
In 2021, they secured a famous 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin and although the tables were turned in the return game, it is further reminder of what Luc Holtz's team is capable of.
The teams come in with slightly contrasting fortunes as Luxembourg fell to a 1-0 home defeat by Slovenia on Friday, just as Hallgrimsson's side grabbed a 1-1 home draw against a Senegal side ranked 41 places above by Fifa.
"They have shown in the past how quickly they have developed as a football team," the 57-year-old said of the opposition.
"They have had the same coach for a long time, really consistent in team selection, so it's more like playing a club team. Their knowledge of the team and each other is really at a high level."
- Published2 days ago
- Published2 days ago
This will serve as the Republic of Ireland's final friendly outing before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September.
Going into that campaign with momentum would be most welcome, but Hallgrimsson, who has drafted Stoke defender Bosun Lawal into the squad, acknowledges the challenge ahead.
"I watched the Sweden game when they played here - they beat Sweden 1-0, they could have scored more goals against Sweden," added Hallgrimsson.
"I know a little bit about them, and the strength of Sweden, so I wouldn't look at it as a shock to the nation if we would not get a good result here.
"It's that good a team that a win here would be really good for us at this stage. I hope nobody is taking them lightly, if that is the right word to say."
Uncapped Stoke defender Bosun Lawal (left) has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad
Hallgrimsson can see growth in his team
After a slow start to the Iceland native's tenure, results have gradually picked up with a pair of 2-1 wins against Bulgaria in the Nations League play-off in March, followed by Friday's draw against Senegal in Dublin.
The overall objective will be to stake a claim for a place at the World Cup and having previously guided his native country to the quarter-finals of the Euros in 2016, he is keen to do it with his adopted nation for whom he feels building momentum is crucial.
"I think it comes automatically," he said of his team's growth.
"It comes because we are growing as a unit. It comes because we are saying the same thing over and over again - probably boring for the players to listen to because we are saying the same thing over and over - and I have said before, basics first before details.
"The excitement comes from that. We can feel that we are growing every time we play, like how comfortable we were against Senegal.
"That's one step taken. We can have the same against Luxembourg, so it shouldn't be up and down performances, it should be consistent performance. That is what we need."
