New signing Luke Chambers hopes good performances with Town will help him win international caps with the Republic of Ireland. The central defender, who who qualifies for Ireland through his Limerick-born maternal grandfather, was asked to take up Irish citizenship during the 2010/11 season after impressing Giovanni Trapattoni but is still to win his first cap.

Chambers was Forest’s Player of the Year during that season but drifted out of the international frame during a 2011/12 campaign which was more difficult both for club and player.

Now he hopes his move to the Blues will reignite Trapattoni’s interest: “I became an Irish citizen and I have an Irish passport and everything.

“That was in the season when we were in the play-offs. But last year, when we were lower down the league, it didn’t really help my cause.

“First and foremost, I want to come here and I want to play my football and I want to be successful and perform at the level I know I can.

“If I can do that, you never know what’s around the corner. If that’s an option, I’d love to explore it.”

With one or two of the Irish Euro 2012 squad likely to drop out of the picture in the not too distant future, Chambers hopes he’ll get his chance: “I think it’ll be a fresh start for everyone and it’s something I won’t close the door on. If that opportunity arose, I’d definitely love to take it.”

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 06:11 - Jul 10 This is good positive talk from the lad & shows the level of ambition he has. If he makes the Irish squad it can only mean his performances in an Ipswich shirt are of the quality we are hoping for.
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DiamondGezzer added 06:59 - Jul 10 Certainly making all the right noises, good lad.
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irishtim added 07:24 - Jul 10 Didnt Realise he Qualified for us. Do the job well for town & youwill get your chance for Republic.
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Joetown95 added 08:05 - Jul 10 If he gets in to the irish team that means he will be playing well for us.
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oscarwhiting added 10:21 - Jul 10 enjoy your stay
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Garv added 11:09 - Jul 10 Maybe, if it all fits incredibly into place, we might see a Chambers and Delaney partnership at both club and country! I won't hold my breath. Seriously though I could see that partnership working, but at the same time wanting Smith to continue playing games as I don't think he can afford another half season on the bench.
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theblueginger added 11:22 - Jul 10 Garv not sure about Delaney! But it does show the level of ambition he has, which is more encouraging. P.s has he spent the last week having photos taken of him at PR?
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JimmyJazz added 11:35 - Jul 10 So as far as an international cap is concerned he's behind both Delaney and O'Dea in the current reckoning.
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cooper4england added 12:10 - Jul 10 @Irishtim I find the situation where players play for a nation with only the most whimsical connection to that country really interesting. I know you cant speak for all of ROI but don't you want players who have at least lived in the country, let alone born there, playing for you? That said i won't mind messi in an England shirt!
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irishtim added 12:24 - Jul 10 @cooper4england. Have to agree with you. If the parents r irish born then im ok with it. But our squad so bad we clutch at straws. Think messi more irish than english lol.
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Mark added 12:29 - Jul 10 I like his ambition. In Smith and Chambers we could have two international centre backs in the team for the year 10 years if all goes well.
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Ipswich24 added 13:49 - Jul 10 Is it me or do you just have to know someone from Ireland to play for them these days?
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irishtim added 14:09 - Jul 10 You mate. Most of our team irish born.
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kerryblue added 20:18 - Jul 10 We need someone decent at the back after the disaster this Summer and the winds of change will blow heavily at the Irish squad ,St .Ledger is poison and Dunne is well past it,that leaves the likes of Daisey O dea and Delaney,so not much commpetition really.
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brian_a_mul added 11:21 - Jul 11 His grandfather is from Limerick, no better place! lol Matt Holland was a great Town and Ireland player, he had an irish grandparent and look what he achieved. Ditto Zinadine Kilbane. TBH Ireland has traditionally had a very high levels of immigration (mainly due to poverty historically, economic/employment issues more recently). For such a small nation we loose an aweful lot of people overseas, I thinks its only fair that the offspring of immigrants have the option to claim/choose the nationality of their grand parents/parents (regardless of which country). In fact If it wasnt for immigrants, Wayne Rooney & Stephen Gerrard would be playing in the Green Shirt! I like Chambers ambition and desire to do well for town. That can only be a good thing. As you guys have said, if he makes it to international level then he must play well!

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