The stage is set for a new chapter in Irish football, with Heimir Hallgrimsson at the helm for his first match as Ireland's manager.
Tomorrow, in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium, Hallgrímsson will face the daunting task of leading Ireland against an England team packed with talent.
But for Hallgrimsson, this isn't just another game - or even his first game in charge of Ireland - it's a chance to rekindle a spark that ignited during the 2016 European Championships when his Iceland side stunned England 2-1 in one of the tournament's most memorable upsets.
That night in Nice remains etched in the memory of English and Icelandic football fans alike.
Hallgrimsson’s Iceland team, with just 32% possession, played the game pragmatically, making the most of setpieces and defending resolutely.
Aron Gunnarsson's long throw led to Iceland’s equaliser, and the winning goal came from a clinical moment on the edge of England’s box.
England dominated in possession, passes and shots, but it was Iceland’s organisation, belief and gameplan that saw them through, leading to Roy Hodgson’s immediate resignation as England manager.
Tomorrow’s Nations League clash requires a similarly practical approach from Ireland under Hallgrimsson.
While the game might not be aesthetically pleasing at times from an Irish perspective, it will be an intriguing battle of wills, tactics, and perhaps, with blind optimism, a throwback to that night in Nice.
Hallgrimsson’s famous victory in 2016 serves as both a reminder and a template for how his Ireland team might approach tomorrow’s game.
Iceland’s performance back then was a masterclass in pragmatism - solid, disciplined, and opportunistic.
With half as many shots and passes as their opponents, and committing double the number of fouls, Iceland’s approach was physical and relentless.
Yet, it was their ability to capitalise on setpieces and stay compact that won the game.
Ireland can expect a similar approach under Hallgrimsson, particularly in this first game under his guidance.
With limited time to implement his full tactical vision, it’s likely that the focus this week in training has been on defensive shape, organisation, and setpieces - the very foundations that secured Iceland’s win eight years ago.
The pressure will be on England to break down what will likely be a highly-disciplined Irish side, and with several of their key creative players like Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden missing, Hallgrimsson may well see this as a golden opportunity to frustrate them.
Gunnarsson, Iceland’s captain during that famous win over England, is a man who knows Hallgrimsson well, having played under him both at international level and later at Al-Arabi in Qatar.
Three months after that Icelandic victory over England, while lining up in the tunnel for Preston for a Tuesday night game against Cardiff I felt a pinch under my arm before we walked out on to the pitch.
It was Gunnarsson, an ex-teammate, and he was smiling from ear to ear and having the craic over his recent success in beating England during that summer, knowing I was an Iceland fan for that night during the Euros.
A tenacious midfielder, Gunnarsson has nothing but admiration for Hallgrimsson’s work ethic and humility.
"He’s the hardest-working manager I’ve ever played under, never afraid to hold his hand up if he or his team have made a mistake and always full of belief," Gunnarsson told me, reflecting the high regard in which the new Ireland boss is held by those who know him best.
It’s this tireless work ethic that Hallgrimsson will look to instil in his Irish squad.
Ireland are not a team blessed with the individual talents of their English counterparts, but under Hallgrimsson, they will be well drilled and prepared.
The key to success for this Irish side is not always about being the best team on paper but being the team that works the hardest, stays organised, and takes its chances when they come.
Make no mistake, though, this England team - despite the absence of some big names - remain a formidable opponent.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, and Trent Alexander-Arnold bring a quality to the side that few nations can match.
Yet, as Iceland showed in 2016, international football doesn’t always favour the most talented side.
The absence of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer gives Ireland a glimmer of hope, but England’s depth ensures they remain heavy favourites.
Lee Carsley will undoubtedly want his side to dominate possession and press high, but this is exactly where Hallgrímsson’s pragmatic style could prove effective.
By defending deep and frustrating England in the final third, Ireland can look to hit them on the break or exploit setpiece situations, much like Iceland did in 2016.
A physical game, with Ireland battling for every ball, is likely on the cards.
For Ireland, tomorrow’s match isn’t just about the result - it’s about laying down a marker for the Nations League campaign and beyond.
Hallgrimsson has been tasked with rebuilding a team that has struggled for form in recent years, and while a win over England would be a dream start, it’s the long-term progress that will define his tenure.
There’s no doubt it will be a tough night in Dublin.
At times, it may be ugly, with Ireland conceding large amounts of possession and relying on their defensive resilience.
But it's precisely this type of performance that is needed if Ireland are to pick up points against one of the best international sides in the world.
Tomorrow isn’t the day to judge Hallgrimsson’s reign, but it’s a day to get behind him.
The Nations League is a three-month campaign, and improvements over time will be the true measure of his success.
If Ireland can frustrate England, disrupt their rhythm, and maybe, just maybe, snatch a famous win, it will be a perfect start.
But even if the result doesn't go their way, this game will be about setting the tone for the future.
Hallgrimsson’s Ireland may not play the prettiest football tomorrow, but if they can channel the spirit of that Iceland team in 2016, then who knows?
A victory against our greatest enemy in his opening game might just earn him a place in the hearts of Irish fans and place him in that bracket of never having to pay for a pint in Ireland again.
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