DARYL MURPHY HAS said Ipswich teammate David McGoldrick is keen to play for Ireland, and that “it’s just a case of a bit of paperwork,” before he is eligible.

The 26-year-old Nottingham-born forward is highly rated, and was heavily linked with a move to Premier League club Leicester prior to the transfer deadline after scoring 16 times for Ipswich last year.

Asked whether McGoldrick might be lining out for Ireland soon, Murphy — who is part of the current squad — said: “He definitely has the talent. He was asking about ‘what’s it like, and what the lads are like,’ so it’s just a case of a bit of paperwork that needs to be done and then he’ll be okay.

“He’s sort of like Wes [Hoolahan] — he’ll drop in, play that kind of role and make things happen. He obviously scores goals and is just a good all-round player.

“He’s a player we thrive off at club level, because he creates lots of chances for us and for himself, as we’ve seen with the goals he scores.”

Murphy also said he was happy to be back involved with the Ireland team after an extensive period in the international wilderness during the Giovanni Trapattoni era. He also suggested the tendency for previous managers to play the striker out of position on the left wing was far from beneficial for his game.

“I thought [the Ireland call-up] might not happen for me for whatever reason. Thankfully, I’m playing at Ipswich every week now and scoring a few goals, so it’s given me a chance to get back in.

“When Paul Jewell was manager, he played me left midfield for two seasons and I think I was wasted there. Although I could do a job, I showed as a striker I can give more to the team.

“When the gaffer [Mick McCarthy] came in on the first day, he told me he was going to play me as a striker, and he didn’t see me as a left midfielder, so that in itself gave me a little boost. I knew I’d be playing in my preferred role, and thankfully I’ve rewarded him with a few goals.”

Consequently, Murphy is now thriving at club level, with five goals in his last seven games. Does the Ireland fringe player think this form could give him a serious chance of being involved in the upcoming games against Gibraltar and Germany?

“I just want to score as many as I can, and playing every week is brilliant. But it’s up to the manager. He obviously has people come and watch me play, and it’s his decision on what team plays.

“Goals is something I’ve not scored enough of, but hopefully this season, I’ll get more chances. And finishing is something I need to be more consistent on to have a good chance with Ireland.

“In the last trip, [Martin O'Neill] said he was going to try to watch more games that we played. So it’s always nice to know you’re being watched.”

Murphy also believes Ipswich’s new formation has helped his own game.

“The gaffer mixes it up — a few weeks ago, we went with three up front, and we’ve done really well with that system. It just gives the three strikers a bit of freedom to roam around in each position, whether it be left, right, or centre — we can change whenever we want. So we’re creating a lot more chances, and obviously I’m getting more chances in the games, and thankfully I’ve been taking them.”

The big talking point this week is Roy Keane’s book, and while Murphy admits he “might have a little read” of it, he says the squad are firmly focused on the task at hand.

Moreover, with Murphy having also worked with Keane at Sunderland and Ipswich, has the Corkonian changed much since his earlier days in management?

“I don’t see him enough, to be honest. He’s always been good to me. I’ve never had any run-ins or problems with him. He’ll do what he wants. If you give 100% in training every day, you’ll be flying.

And finally, what of Danny Higginbotham’s recent anecdote about Keane ordering hoodies for the Sunderland players to bury their faces in shame in during his time as manager there?

“It’s the first I’ve heard of that one. I’ll have to have a little read [of his book].”

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