Will Smallbone would love a crack at France after seizing his chance on his Ireland debut.
A goal on his full debut for the impressive Evan Ferguson against Latvia was a boost for Stephen Kenny ahead of Monday's qualifier Euro 2024 - and so was the stand-out performance of Smallbone.
That was the 39th appearance of the season for the 23-year-old, who has been consistently good on loan to Championship club Stoke City from Southampton.
READ MORE: Stephen Kenny full of praise for Will Smallbone after Ireland debut
It has been a welcome run of games for the creative midfielder who suffered an ACL injury in early 2021 and only made four Premier League appearances for the Saints last season.
"For sure, it was a big season for myself personally going into it to make sure I got the minutes," Smallbone admitted.
"Obviously, I wanted to get in and around the senior international side and that side of it has gone very well coming off the back of the injury.
"I haven't had a lot of minutes in the previous two seasons so for it to have gone the way it has so far this season has been a big positive for myself."
Having served his apprenticeship with the under-21s, Smallbone came away from his first senior camp last November disappointed not to feature.
"But it gave me that desire and another bit inside to make sure that going into the games coming up, I had to make sure I was in the side for this campaign, to give myself the best opportunity to play," he said.
"And I've loved every minute of playing for Ireland and long may it continue. It's been a great journey."
Stephen Kenny told him on Tuesday that he was going to start his first Ireland game and Smallbone didn't disappoint.
He left the Aviva Stadium with the man of the match award, having played a part in the first two goals for the hosts and used possession intelligently throughout.
"I’m very happy with that," he said. "It was a proud day for my family and to make my debut at home makes it even better.
"I found out that I was playing on Tuesday so to have my family over was very special.
"My Mam, a few aunties and my girlfriend were at the game. They were coming anyway but were happier that I was playing.
"I didn’t really have nerves, probably more before the game than when it started.
"Playing on the right alongside Matt (Doherty) and having Michael (Obafemi) there too helped calm me down."
In fact the partnership he quickly forged with Doherty on the right side may give Kenny food for thought ahead of the visit of losing World Cup finalists France.
"Yeah, I loved it," said Smallbone on working with the Atletico Madrid man. "He’s a great player who has a great career.
"It helped having him there, you can trust him with the ball. We started off well and continued during the game.
"I gave my all out there. I would have loved to play the 90 minutes but it's the manager's decision to do whatever he wants and I'm happy to come off.
"I want to be creating things but goals and assists are what you get judged on.”
Smallbone, like the rest of the squad, is craving involvement against France.
"It's a great one for Irish football," he said. "Myself personally, I’d love to put myself out against the team that reached the last World Cup final. I’d love to be a part of it.
"We’ll watch the Latvia game back and there’ll be a lot of positives but I think the two goals are a reminder of not getting complacent.
"International teams are great and have superb individuals. It will be the same on Monday against France who’ll have quality players. We can’t allow those lapses of concentration to happen."
With senior players such as Josh Cullen, John Egan and Gavin Bazunu to return, Kenny will make personnel changes. But Smallbone feels that Ireland could employ a similar tactical approach against France.
"I don't see why not," he said.
"Obviously, they'll have great individuals and great talents in the team but I think we need to get out there and be competitive. I don't see why we can't play that shape.
"We created a lot of chances against Latvia and we want to go into the France game to win it, so I think it is to be as creative and attacking as we can, while obviously being cautious of their threats."
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