Scott Hogan is gunning for goals for club and country after admitting that he has "failed" to deliver in recent seasons.
The 30-year-old Birmingham City striker is pushing for a starting slot in the Ireland attack for tomorrow night's Nations League clash with Scotland at Hampden Park.
Last week's hat-trick in the 3-2 Championship win over West Bromwich Albion was his first in five years and brought his season's tally to date to an impressive five in 10 games.
READ MORE: Josh Cullen says summer win over Scotland is irrelevant ahead of Hampden Park clash
It's the best run of form by the 11 times capped Hogan since he fired home 14 goals in 25 Championship matches for Brentford in the first half of the 2016-17 campaign that secured him a €14.5m move to Aston Villa where his career stalled.
Now he's eager to also break his duck for the Boys In Green.
"Goals mean everything to strikers - a million per cent, otherwise you would not be a striker," said Hogan.
"You are judged on goals and I failed in that aspect in the past few years.
"Hopefully, I hope so," added the former Brentford marksman when asked about his ambitions to open his Ireland account.
Hogan is clearly enjoying life at St Andrew's following the summer appointment of ex-Ireland coach John Eustace as manager.
"I'm not saying that it's the same for everyone but it's the first time that I feel happy in a number of years.
"John was here and he has come to Birmingham and I have a great relationship with him.
"He wants me to do well here and I’ve spoken to him since I’ve come out.
"It's just a case of, we’re all professional footballers, we all want to come out and perform as high as possible.
"It comes down to what you do when you pull on a green jersey as well. If I can perform at some point over the next few games that would be ideal.
"To go back to my club and keep doing that, hopefully that will happen."
While Michael Obafemi, Troy Parrott and Chiedozie Ogbene are probably ahead of Hogan in Kenny's pecking order, he feels that he can still become a first choice for next year's Euro 2024 qualifiers.
"Hopefully, I'd love nothing more than that. The club form has to maintain a high level, I’m aware of that."
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