Town striker David McGoldrick says he’d love to forge an international career with the Republic of Ireland. The 26-year-old took his goals total for the season to 15 when he smashed home the winning penalty against Bolton on Saturday.
With his surname having obvious Irish connections, McGoldrick has previously been linked with Ireland but, having been adopted, the Nottingham-born striker incorrectly believed that he was ineligible. He has subsequently also discovered that his biological grandfather was Irish.
He told the Irish Sun that he’d certainly be interested if he received a call: "I’d like to follow it through.
"I haven’t been in contact with anyone in the FAI. I just want to get the paperwork done, it’s up to me to prove the link and then I’ll make myself available for selection. It’s up to Martin O’Neill if he wants to pick me but I’d love it if he did.”
O’Neill’s backroom team — former Town boss Roy Keane is his assistant — is already reported to have spoken to members of the Blues scouting staff about McGoldrick.
Town boss Mick McCarthy is a former Republic of Ireland manager and player, while Stephen Hunt, Alan Lee and Daryl Murphy have won 39, 10 and nine caps respectively and Jay Tabb played for the U21s early in his career. Blues defender Luke Chambers also qualifies for Ireland but is yet to receive a call-up.