ALWAYS READY FOR THE CALL
CALLUM O’dowda is so close he can smell the big time now – for club and country.
O’dowda, 22, was still a League Two player with Oxford 18 months ago. Now he’s flying with Bristol City – fourth in the Championship. At international level, he missed out on Euro
2016 after making his Ireland debut in the final warm-up game against Belarus before the finals.
He’s confident he can do the business for Bristol if they make it to the Premier League thanks to his Ireland experience – an experience that could see him play in the World Cup finals next summer.
“Training with the (Ireland) boys, I definitely feel I could hold my own in the Prem,” O’dowda said.
“When you’re growing up, that’s what you dream of – you want to play in the highest league, go to the major competitions.
“You look at Shane Duffy at Brighton, it’s achievable. You pinch yourself about how close it could be.”
With Robbie Brady, inset, and James Mcclean suspended last month for the penultimate World Cup pool game at home to Moldova, O’dowda was thrust into the spotlight and impressed on his first competitive start.
O’dowda then watched from the bench as Ireland got the win in Cardiff they needed to make the play-offs.
And since then he’s played his part as Bristol chalked up five straight Championship victories.
“Since that game, I’ve had a lot of praise from the management both for club and country,” said the pacy winger.
“In the last few games, I’ve made a real impact with goals and assists. And that’s what I want.
“Even before that I was kicking on, I was starting a lot for Bristol City. As soon as I got back to club level, I felt bigger, stronger, in terms of the way you feel in yourself.
“That’s what I wanted to do – to make a real impact in the Championship.”
O’dowda had a feeling he would play against Moldova as coach Steve Guppy had been giving him a lot of feedback in the build-up.
He looked the part against the pool minnows, in keeping with the positive impact he made over six previous caps.
He said: “Obviously there are some nerves because there’s pressure to do well.
“If you go off the last year or so, and I know I had the start against Moldova, but I do feel I’m getting closer and closer.
“When I was in the stand, four or five trips ago, you love being there but it’s not the same as being out there.
“It’s out of your control. You’re not on the bench or pitch to make an impact. You’re itching to get out there, shouting and screaming from the bench like a spectator.
“If we can get through, it will probably be the best moment of my career.”