Ireland's Kasey McAteer makes World Cup vow to Heimir Hallgrimsson

Irish Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Kasey McAteer insists he has the X-factor to be Ireland's World Cup star, after nailing his first big audition.
And the Leicester City ace warned Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics - who are returning from injury - that their spot in the team is now under threat.
McAteer was the 'player of the match' in Friday's 1-1 draw against Senegal and marked his first start with his first goal.
He is waiting to see if Heimir Hallgrimsson shakes up his team selection for tomorrow's season-ending friendly here in Luxembourg. But either way, McAteer feels he can impact the World Cup campaign when it starts against Hungary and Armenia in September.
'You want your name being thrown about in conversations around team selections,' said the 23-year-old winger. "I've created a bit of a stir, so hopefully I can keep that going on and get myself in the starting XI.
'I hadn't started before and I got on the scoresheet - that's what I wanted to come in and do. My first goal gives me massive confidence and hopefully I can take that in my stride and keep growing.'
And McAteer added: 'My Mum and Dad were there on Friday, so it was good to see them score my first goal on my first start. That's a moment that I'll cherish forever.'
McAteer knows Ireland will need Ogbene and Szmodics fit and firing if the Boys in Green are serious about World Cup qualification. But the Leicester attacker has no intention of rolling over and just handing back the jersey in September.
Ogbene missed the entire season for Ipswich due to a serious Achilles injury, but is back on the grass and targeting an August return. He had become a key figure for Ireland, and so had his Ipswich clubmate Szmodics who saw the second-half of his own season disrupted by injury.
McAteer has no interest in being a flash-in-the-pan star and eyeing the World Cup, he said: 'They're all top players but I know the qualities that I have.
'I need to believe in myself and whatever will be, will be. They are top players and friends of mine so we'll all be pushing each other for a spot. Sometimes in this game, it can be everyone for themselves but I'm sure whatever happens the squad will be strong.'
McAteer had his own injuries this season and missed chunks of the Premier League campaign as Leicester were relegated. But he returned to play in the final five games and insists he will stay with the Foxes to get them back up.
'That's the plan,' he said. 'I've been at Leicester since I was eight years old, so I'd never turn my back on the club. It's a club where I've grown, I've loved, I've supported.
'I'll get away in the summer, get a holiday, refresh, regroup and start preseason for Leicester fighting and get us back into the Premier League, where we deserve to be.'
And McAteer added: 'I know what levels I can get to at my best. Going back for pre-season, it's about getting in the shop window, into the starting team and getting us back to the Premier League.'