FOR THE MAJORITY of the Ireland squad arriving in Dublin this week, it’s a case of ensuring there is enough gas in the tank for the next fortnight but David McGoldrick has no such worries.
The Ipswich striker missed the final few months of the Championship season with a debilitating thigh problem but is now fighting fight and raring to go after a frustrating period on the sidelines.
McGoldrick did make a brief appearance in Ipswich’s disappointing play-off defeat to Norwich last month but has returned re-energised and determined to rediscover the form which saw him score seven league goals before injury struck.
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“I’ve had plenty of time off so I’m full of enthusiasm and drive,” he said after training on Monday. “When you’re at home on the couch you realise how much you miss it so I was delighted to get the call and now I just want to train and play.”
The 27-year-old, who was born in Nottingham, received his first call-up last November and made an impression on his debut, a 4-1 win win over United States in Dublin.
Two assists that night provided a glimpse of what he can offer but as a new member of the set-up, McGoldrick acknowledges he will need to work his way up the pecking order.
“When I first joined up with the squad is was about getting to know everybody and they made me feel welcome straight away,” he continued. “I feel comfortable now and to play out there with some top players can only be good for me.
“There is a lot of competition so need to you train well and catch the eye for selection. There are so many quality strikers here but it’s a great chance for me to come and train and get the intensity back.”
Martin O’Neill’s side will play two friendlies, against Northern Ireland and England, ahead of the crunch Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland on 14 June.
McGoldrick believes the two trial runs for that Group D outing will be hugely beneficial for the team, particularly because all three opponents play in a similar style.
“England are a good team with good players and it will be a feisty match at a sold-out stadium. They play the same way [as Scotland] and the friendly will be good as it won’t be a testimonial friendly – there will be plenty of passion and that will serve us well for Scotland.”
After an injury nightmare one Ireland striker is determined to make up for lost time
FOR THE MAJORITY of the Ireland squad arriving in Dublin this week, it’s a case of ensuring there is enough gas in the tank for the next fortnight but David McGoldrick has no such worries.
The Ipswich striker missed the final few months of the Championship season with a debilitating thigh problem but is now fighting fight and raring to go after a frustrating period on the sidelines.
McGoldrick did make a brief appearance in Ipswich’s disappointing play-off defeat to Norwich last month but has returned re-energised and determined to rediscover the form which saw him score seven league goals before injury struck.
“I’ve had plenty of time off so I’m full of enthusiasm and drive,” he said after training on Monday. “When you’re at home on the couch you realise how much you miss it so I was delighted to get the call and now I just want to train and play.”
The 27-year-old, who was born in Nottingham, received his first call-up last November and made an impression on his debut, a 4-1 win win over United States in Dublin.
Two assists that night provided a glimpse of what he can offer but as a new member of the set-up, McGoldrick acknowledges he will need to work his way up the pecking order.
“When I first joined up with the squad is was about getting to know everybody and they made me feel welcome straight away,” he continued. “I feel comfortable now and to play out there with some top players can only be good for me.
“There is a lot of competition so need to you train well and catch the eye for selection. There are so many quality strikers here but it’s a great chance for me to come and train and get the intensity back.”
Martin O’Neill’s side will play two friendlies, against Northern Ireland and England, ahead of the crunch Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland on 14 June.
McGoldrick believes the two trial runs for that Group D outing will be hugely beneficial for the team, particularly because all three opponents play in a similar style.
“England are a good team with good players and it will be a feisty match at a sold-out stadium. They play the same way [as Scotland] and the friendly will be good as it won’t be a testimonial friendly – there will be plenty of passion and that will serve us well for Scotland.”
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COYBIG David McGoldrick Fighting Fit International Friendly Martin O'Neill Ireland Republic