Soccer

Callum O'Dowda ready for the next level for club and country

Callum O'Dowda with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill during a training session ahead of the play-off double-header with the Danes
Callum O'Dowda with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill during a training session ahead of the play-off double-header with the Danes Callum O'Dowda with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill during a training session ahead of the play-off double-header with the Danes

CALLUM O’Dowda feels “bigger and stronger” for his international experience and believes he could hold his own in the English Premiership.

The Bristol City winger may have targeted the Euro 2020 qualification campaign to establish himself as a regular in the Republic of Ireland side – but he is ready to answer the call should Martin O’Neill need him in the upcoming World Cup play-off ties with Denmark.

O’Dowda has been on the fringes of the senior squad for the last 18 months - but O’Neill hasn’t been afraid to throw the 22-year-old in at the deep end.

The English-born wide player impressed on his first international start against Moldova last month and has played in total 135 minutes in Ireland’s World Cup qualification tilt, which included substitute appearances against the Moldovans in Chisinau and in Ireland’s 1-0 home defeat to Serbia.

But it was gaining the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Moldova in Dublin last month that saw his confidence soar.

“I think it has helped but even before that I was kicking on; I was starting a lot for Bristol City. But I’d say playing against Moldova did play a big part.

“As soon as I got back to club level, I felt bigger, stronger and I wanted to make a real impact in the Championship.”

O’Dowda was been one of the key players at Bristol City this season that has saw the Ashton Gate club climb to fourth in the Championship.

He’s scored two goals and claimed five assists in 19 games for Lee Johnson’s Bristol City side, and is keen to reach the next level with the 'Robins'.

“When you’re training with the boys, you definitely feel, I definitely feel I could hold my own in the Premiership,” he said.

“When you’re growing up as a kid, that’s what you dream of - you want to play in the highest league, go to the major competitions.

“It is definitely achievable, I think someone said to me after the Sunderland game, we’re fourth in the league with Bristol City.

“You look at Huddersfield or Shane Duffy at Brighton; it is definitely achievable. You do sometimes pinch yourself about how close it could be.”

O’Dowda has been working closely with one of O’Neill’s assistants Steve Guppy, also a winger during his playing days, while on international duty.

“I had a real inkling that I might be playing [against Moldova] with [Robbie] Brady and [James] McClean suspended.

“I was working quite a lot with Steve Guppy. He was speaking to me after my games at club level and showing a real interest in how it was going.

“I knew they were watching me. I was playing in a different role [at Bristol City] that I was used to but it was similar in a way with the way I break with the ball.”

O’Dowda will be on standby for Saturday night’s first leg in Copenhagen should Jeff Hendrick not recover in time from a glute injury. Stephen Ward resumed training in Abbotstown yesterday morning while Jon Walters, James McCarthy (both injured) and David Meyler (suspended) are missing.

O’Dowda, who qualifies to play for the Republic through his late grandfather Brendan O’Dowda, also hailed the togetherness of the squad ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

“The team spirit is really something. Obviously at your club you are in each other's pockets every day, but here you sometimes only get a week but still I've made so many not just team-mates, but mates as well.

“That does help. I'm not sure what it's like in other countries but it's definitely really something here.”