Republic manager Hallgrimsson echoed Cullen’s sentiments, believing that his side are showing signs of growth after a difficult start to his tenure.
“We’re improving in certain areas and we are working on others, I smell there is a little change coming,” he said.
“For example, everyone is wanting to play and pushing for their place in the team which is a good sign we have really good competition.”
The Icelandic coach moved to clarify comments he made after the win at the Hristo Botev Stadium when he told RTE, external that he felt his side were “too passive” in the second half when they dropped deeper.
“I’ve always been a little bit too emotional, it’s why I don’t like to talk to players after games, I like to analyse the game before I speak, it was probably emotion a little bit there,” he explained.
“When I watched the game back on TV, even though we gave them a little bit more of possession, there was never any danger at all that they would create something.
“As a coach you always feel uncomfortable going behind in games, but I think the players have shown not only in Bulgaria but in Finland before as well, turning that around, that they are believing more and more in each other and what they are doing.”