Mark Sykes insists it has been a ‘dream come true’ to represent the Republic of Ireland and has no concerns about a backlash in Northern Ireland.
He made his senior debut against Malta in November, becoming the first Belfast man to represent the Republic since Jackie Vernon and Jimmy McAlinden in 1946.
And the Bristol City winger is now pushing for a first start in Wednesday’s friendly clash with Latvia at Aviva Stadium, ahead of Monday’s big Euros qualifier with France.