Robbie Brady is aiming for World Cup and European Championship adventures after ending a long exile in the international wilderness.
The 30-year-old Preston winger has not played for the Republic of Ireland since winning his 57th cap in a friendly against Qatar in March last year. make a name for himself in Stephen Kenny’s team.
However, Brady – one of Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign heroes – is back in the squad ahead of Nations League clashes with Scotland and Armenia after finding a new home in Deepdale. after his release by Burnley and then Bournemouth, and is determined to squeeze every last minute out of a career that seemed to be at a standstill.
When asked if he had any ambition to play in another major tournament, he replied: “Certainly.
“My performances will have to be at a level that keeps me involved and I’m confident enough that I can get to a level to stay in the game. We’ll see how things go.
“These tournaments are what it’s all about and what you want to strive for. We now have a big week ahead of us. There are so many factors that will play into getting us to the Euros and, as you said, the World Cup afterwards.
“I’m only 30, but there’s no time to waste. There aren’t many tournaments left, so you want to grab it with both hands and try to push for them.
Former Manchester United trainee Brady returned from France in 2016 as a national hero after scoring the goal that secured a famous 1-0 win over Italy and booked Ireland’s place in the 16 last, where his converted penalty threatened to upset the hosts.
But knee and Achilles injuries left him battling for playing time at Burnley and then Bournemouth and, as a result, watching his country from afar.
He said: “That’s the hardest part of it all, the mental side. When you’re younger, you erase things and move on.
“When you’ve done a few long-term ones, it’s tough. You know what you want to do, but there are times when your body won’t allow you to do it.
Ryan Lowe’s faith in Preston, where he has started nine of the club’s 10 Sky Bet Championship games this season, has been matched by that of Kenny, who has remained in regular contact.
Brady said: “He’s been great to me since he arrived, and he’s kept in touch and his thoughts on me and where he thinks I can go. I couldn’t put myself in a position to give him what he needed. I’m back fit and healthy and in a good place now to make an impact.
That is not the case, however, for Norwich defender Andrew Omobamidele, who was dropped from the squad that trained in Abbotstown on Monday with a groin injury and replaced by Liam Scales d ‘Aberdeen.
