Ireland's new boy can't wait to get back to 'rocking' Aviva
David McGoldrick described his debut for the Republic of Ireland as a “great feeling” and hopes it will be the first of many appearances in green.
The Ipswich Town striker was asked in his post-match interview how it felt to start his international career with two assists.
“I’ve confidence in my ability so I’d rather it was two goals myself,” he cheerfully admitted. “But two assists is good. And the win, playing with some of the boys today, some great players, it was a great experience.”
“It was great to go out there, it’s been a long time coming and now to play 70-75 minutes is a great feeling.”
“Yes, these are my first international minutes today, but I’ve been training for well over a week and training has been really hard,” he said of his first experience of the Ireland camp.
“It’s a great standard of players and I think I’ve settled in well. It’s another step forward here.”
78' This McGoldrick looks decent doesn't he? #IRLvUSA
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) November 18, 2014
He continued: “It’s a good experience. Playing with top quality Premier League players, and top quality Championship players. I’ve realised I have different parts of my game to work on.”
The 26-year-old feels there is a lot he can learn from other members of the squad.
“Looking at Robbie Keane, he’s some player still at his age, and the way he finishes, McGoldrick said. “The way Shane Long holds up the ball and wins his headers is lethal.”
“He’s very complimentary in training,” he said of Robbie Keane. “When you do something, he’ll compliment you, he demands a lot from the players and he gets a lot out of you.
“You’ve got to do well, you’ve got to work hard. score goals, help people out. He’s been top class to me to be fair.
“I’ve got things I need to work on and I want to take them back to my club and do that.”
McGoldrick is managed at Ipswich Town by ex-Ireland player and manager Mick McCarthy, who he said has been very supportive of his call-up to the Irish camp.
“He’ll give me a hug, I know he will, he’s a top man,” said McGoldrick. “He texted me before the game saying all the best and I’m sure he’ll give me a text to say well done.”
McGoldrick is returning to McCarthy and Ipswich with an aim to be back in the Ireland squad in March.
“The boys say when the (Aviva) stadium is full the place is rocking, so that would be great experience if I could get in the squad.”
“I’ve got to keep my form up to keep in the team and hopefully get selected for the qualifier in March.”
