CURTIS HAS HIGH HOPES OF BEING PERMANENT FIXTURE

IT’S A sign of the times for the Republic of Ireland that they can no longer ignore players from League One. Following Colin Doyle, who kept goal earlier this year while on the books of Bradford City, is Portsmouth striker Ronan Curtis who made his debut on Thursday night. Since his transfer from Derry City in May, Curtis has bridged the gap to the international stage quicker than anticipated, helped by six goals for promotion-chasing Pompey. And now that he’s had a feel for the senior set-up after a stint with the Under-21s, the 22-year-old striker is keen for more as he heads to Denmark on Nations League duty. ‘That’s my aim, that’s what I want to do, to become a senior international. Hopefully I’ve shown a bit of initiative when coming off the bench and, hopefully on Monday night, I could even get a start. ‘I’m 22 years of age, I’ve got a taste for it now and hopefully I’ll get to fight for my place next year.’ Curtis (right) didn’t expect to land running at Portsmouth, but Kenny Jackett has liked what he’s seen. ‘I didn’t think I was going to play when I first got there, I thought I’d be on the bench and have to play my way into the team. ‘But the gaffer put his faith in me. In the first game, I set up the winner and I got two the week after that, so my confidence was sky high. It’s gone on from that. ‘Since leaving Derry, I’ve become a better player. I’m in a better environment with better players at Portsmouth and, thankfully, I hit the ground running.’ With Sean Maguire ruled out with another hamstring injury, and Shane Long and Jon Walters also sidelined, Curtis could add a quick-fire second cap to his first as his ‘amazing’ year continues.