Greece v Ireland: Five takeaways from the Nations League clash

Ireland survived a torrid first half as Greece piled forward in waves, only to do what they almost always do and concede after the break. After that it got a lot better - until Caoimhín Kelleher stepped up as the man to make a big mistake at the back.

This was the international window where things began to fall into place for Heimir Hallgrimsson.

After the victory in Helsinki, there was more of a free shot feel to this one against the in-form Greeks and, as it was in Dublin last month, it was a game of two halves.

This time Ireland were much better in the second half, having survived a torrid opening period, but goal concessions at the start and end of the half proved very costly.

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Here are five takeaways from the action last night.

Should Ireland have had an early penalty? Absolutely. A millisecond before Evan Ferguson makes contact with a shot the knee of Lazaros Rota crashes into the Meathman's leg and Ferguson goes down as he kicks the ball well wide.

His disbelieving look towards the ref said it all, but strangely Ireland didn't make a strong appeal for a spot-kick - and VAR didn't stir.

As for the striker who turns 20 next weekend, he was called ashore after 56 minutes and continues to look like a player desperately in need of club games, but getting back into the Brighton line-up isn't going to be easy. Ireland need him to be sharper come Finland's visit to Dublin next month.

Thursday night proved a false dawn in one respect at least. Ireland were lauded for the way they started the second half in Helsinki as they took the contest to Finland and it was the visitors who struck first after the break.

But against Greece, having survived a torrid opening half, the curse of conceding just after the interval struck yet again through Anastasios Bakasetas.

It's crazy how often it happens and it's something that Heimir Hallgrimsson is going to have to get to grips with. Still the Greeks, on an emotionally charged night, were really good in the first half and they clearly love playing Ireland - that's five wins in a row now.

Ireland's second half - that all too familiar goal concession aside and then that moment of madness by Caoimhín Kelleher, was much better.

The performances of Liam Scales over the two games was outstanding, while Festy Ebosele had a big window with the big impact he had off the bench. He really should have started against the Greeks as Chiedozie Ogbene was out of sorts and seemed confused about the role he was playing, with large gaps left inviting for the hosts to attack the left flank.

Jack Taylor looked very promising on his debut, too, piling forward to have a couple of good attempts at goal.

Caoimhín Kelleher blotted his copybook right at the death after he had been Ireland's best player all night. Liverpool, though, won't be unhappy that he was kept busy in Piraeus.

With Ireland under siege for long periods into the third quarter, it's no surprise that the Corkman was called upon to make saves and he was rock solid until a Liam Scales deflection finally beat him.

He certainly won't want to look at Greece's second again as Ireland chased a point. Kelleher will go into the Reds' team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.

It will be his 50th appearance for the Anfield club and, with Alisson Becker facing up to six weeks out, in-form Kelleher can expect a run for the Reds now.

Ireland's second half, that all too familiar goal concession aside, was much better. The performances of Liam Scales over the two games was outstanding, while Festy Ebosele had a big window with the big impact he had off the bench.

He really should have started against the Greeks as Chiedozie Ogbene looked to be affected by a hamstring knock picked up in Helsinki and was out of sorts, with large gaps left for the hosts to attack into on his flank.

Jack Taylor made an impressive debut, too, piling forward to have a couple of shots on goal. Getting the forwards more involved close to goal has to happen.

Heimir Hallgrimsson can look back on this window as the one where his Ireland reign really got going. Criticised - by ex-internationals, in particular - for not taking more control of team affairs before the England and Greece matches and for not attending more games in person, Halgrimsson has clearly been the man directing affairs over the past week.

That first win in Helsinki was a key moment for the Icelander. Positive, attacking substitutions worked a treat against Finland and, against Greece, they turned the game Ireland's way, albeit without the equaliser.

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