"I want to get back in the Ireland squad."
Jack Byrne has discussed his ambitions for club and country ahead of Shamrock Rovers' match against St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday night.
The 2019 and 2020 League of Ireland player of the year wants to rediscover the form which saw him earn four Republic of Ireland caps.
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Jack Byrne on getting recalled to the Ireland squad.
Byrne returned to the Hoops after a nightmare stint at APOEL Nicosia in 2021. Former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was sacked the day after the Dubliner’s debut.
The playmaker, however, has settled straight back into life at Tallaght Stadium.
Already this season, Byrne has scored one goal and registered three assists in three games and he looks set to replicate his form from his previous stint with the Hoops.
Ahead of the Dublin derby with St Pat’s, the 25-year-old spoke about his desire to earn more Ireland caps and trophies in 2022 for the Hoops.
The Ballybough native also discussed how having ambitious plans is essential to him being successful.
“First, I want to get back in the Ireland squad," Byrne told
The Irish Sun.
"I want to try to win leagues, win cups, qualify for Europe here.
“If I’m saying, ‘Oh, I don’t want to get Player of the Year this year,' or be the best that I can be. Then it’s not going to go well for me and it’s not going to go well for the club.
“I need that in my own head when I’m going out and playing."
Byrne's mentality.
Byrne signed a two-year deal upon returning to Rovers. He knows he must be at the top of his game to remain in Stephen Bradley’s side.
The midfielder faces competition for a starting place from some of the League of Ireland’s best players. He believes that this will only focus his mind and help him reach his goals.
“I don’t want to get in that comfortable mode where I think this is OK — I’m here for two years and what happens after that happens," Byrne said.
“It’s not like that, I want to try to be the best player that I can be for the club and the best player that I can be."
