Sammie Szmodic On His International Debut: 'Hope To Wear Ireland's Jersey A Lot More'

Sammie Szmodics hopes he has 바카라�shut up바카라� the detractors who questioned his hunger to play for the Republic of Ireland after finally making his international debut. (More Football News)

The 28-year-old Blackburn striker has twice in the past had to pull out of squads, leading some to question his commitment amid suggestions 바카라� he insists without foundation 바카라� that he could defect to Hungary, for whom he also qualifies through his grandfather.

However after turning in an impressive display in Saturday evening바카라�s 0-0 friendly draw with Belgium at the Aviva Stadium, Szmodics was in bullish mood.

Asked if he had worried his debut might never come, he said: 바카라�Of course there바카라�s doubts.

바카라�I had to go home in the past because I was injured and other things have happened, and you read stuff in the press that I don바카라�t want to play for Ireland, which is ridiculous because I was desperate to.

바카라�The best way to shut people up is to show what you can do and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love playing for Ireland and I바카라�m excited now for the future to hopefully get many more caps.

바카라�I바카라�ve been ready for this for three or four years and to finally do it is unbelievable, but a big relief for me because it was one of the biggest days of my career.

바카라�I hope I can wear the Ireland jersey a lot more.바카라�

Szmodics was handed his chance by interim head coach John O바카라�Shea, who will also take charge of Tuesday night바카라�s friendly against Switzerland as the Football Association of Ireland prepares to unveil Stephen Kenny바카라�s successor following his departure in November.

Ireland could, and probably should, have won the game after being awarded a first-half penalty, only for 19-year-old striker Evan Ferguson to slip as he attempted to beat keeper Matz Sels, who blocked with his legs.

Szmodics said: 바카라�Evan is a big lad, a young, confident boy. He shouldn바카라�t think about that penalty miss 바카라� I바카라�ve missed two penalties this season. It바카라�s how you step up and go again.

바카라�If we get one on Tuesday and he바카라�s playing, I바카라�m sure he will take it.바카라�

Szmodics has 27 goals to his name so far this season, 21 of them in the Sky Bet Championship, but he admitted it would perhaps have been 바카라�cheeky바카라� of him to demand he took the penalty himself.

He said: 바카라�I knew Evan would take it. Young lad, my debut 바카라� it would have been quite cheeky for me to take the ball.

바카라�I would have taken it and if we would have got another one in the same game, I would have said I바카라�d have it, although my record this season has not been amazing.바카라�

Szmodics will hope for further action on Tuesday, but whatever happens, he will return home with three shirts, one to give to his parents, one for his agent and the third, the one he wore on the night.

Asked who would get that one, he said: 바카라�Me. Definitely. But I need to wash it.바카라�