Alan Browne is looking to ignite his international career after he admits it has been a tough start for him on the international stage.
Speaking to the media while at a training camp in Portugal with the Republic of Ireland squad, Browne spoke of his desire to kickstart his Ireland career under new manager Mick McCarthy.
"For me, this year under a new manager is a chance to get my Ireland career up and running. It hadn’t been great for me so far." Admitted the 24-year-old.
“I knew what the step-up from the Championship would be like from the previous couple of caps but the France match 12 months ago was a totally different ball game. You could obviously see why they went on to become world champions. They’re a top-class side all over the pitch and every one of them is playing at the highest level they can.
"I wouldn’t say that I froze but there was probably just naivety. You kind of want to take how you’ve been playing at club level into international level and you’re eager. But you’re not going to be able to play as well in that step up, certainly with players that you don’t play with week-in, week-out, so you kind of have to adapt your game to a certain degree.
"Rather than making movements that you would at club level, you kind of have to adapt to the players around you. It’s a whole new team and I think the quicker you realise that, the better you’re going to play."
Browne is joined in the Ireland set up by PNE teammates Callum Robinson and Sean Maguire, and all three will be hoping to make their mark in the upcoming games and looking to end the 2018/19 campaign on a high.
“We haven’t sat down and had a conversation collectively but I know in my head what I’m thinking and I’m sure the boys are as well. I think Callum is an exciting player and can hurt teams on his own, he’s a really good individual and it's the same with Seani.
"Seani hasn’t really performed as well as he probably would have hoped to this year, he hasn’t stood out in terms of goals and assists, but he can still go past players and damage teams that way, take a number of the players out of the game with one run which will open space for somebody else."
Browne was unable to join up with the squad when they last met up in March due to injury, and so this is his first opportunity to show the new Ireland boss what he is capable of on the International front.
Speaking of McCarthy's influence on the squad already, the Irishman continued: "Seani was telling me everybody was lively for the March games and it seemed to be a complete turnaround.
“There’s a good atmosphere at the moment in the camp and the boys are competing to get into the starting 11, everyone has to prove themselves again when a new manager comes in and the boys are well aware of that.
“I’m a better player a year on and feel fit after recovering from injury. The pressure is definitely that bit higher representing your country but I’ve never let that get to me.
"I’m sure the boys are out to impress on this trip, as am I. It’s my first trip under the new gaffer. First impressions last and I need to make sure it’s a good one."
Browne, Robinson and Maguire have all been training in Portugal with Ireland this week as they prepare for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.
Ireland travel to Denmark on Friday 7th June before hosting Gibraltar three days later on Monday 10th June.