MARTIN O’NEILL HAS added some fresh blood to his squad this week with the inclusion of David McGoldrick and Cyrus Christie this week.
It has been a lengthy process for 26-year-old Ipswich Town striker McGoldrick, who was born in Nottingham and adopted. The fact that his adopted family had Irish ancestry didn’t count but after some research he discovered that he was eligible to play for the Boys in Green through his birth mother’s parents.
“For a long time I’ve wanted to play for Ireland,” he told the FAI yesterday after obtaining his passport and training with the team for the first time. ”Since I’ve been a kid. It’s been weird because I have always had the Irish sign on the back of the programmes.
“But actually getting the confirmation of it, I’m delighted that it has gone through now and I’m really, really excited to put on the jersey if I can.
It has been a long wait. I’ve been in contact with them for a long time now trying to get it over the line. There have been a few complications but they have worked hard and got it done.
“I’ve got the call from Martin O’Neill on Saturday night. When I seen his name come up on my phone I thought it might have gone through and it was a great feeling as it turned out I’d be coming away. ”
McGoldrick, who had five goals for the Tractor Boys this season, spoke to team-mates Stephen Hunt and Daryl Murphy as well as club manager Mick McCarthy about linking up with the Boys in Green.
When asked about what he can bring to the team, he revealed that link-up play is a big part of his game.
“As a striker, goals are the main thing,” he said. “The strong point of my play is the link-up and bringing other people into the play. I’ve got quite a few assists over my career. I’ve set up quite a few of Murph’s goals (Daryl Murphy) goals this season. I like to get involved in the play.”
Watch the full interview below:
Football Association of Ireland / Vimeo
