Browne is resetting his goals
ALAN BROWNE may be the unluckiest player in the Ireland squad right now.
But he won’t grumble and insists it’s up to him to let his football do the talking.
Back in March, Mick Mccarthy hinted that the Preston North End midfielder was in contention for a start in the opening Euro 2020 clash in Gibraltar.
But an ankle injury in a game against Middlesbrough ruled him out and he also missed the Georgia game days later.
He looked on as Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan and Conor Hourihane established themselves as Mccarthy’s preferred midfield three.
Browne said yesterday: “Personally, it’s disappointing but the team got the results that we needed at the time.
“I’m obviously happy with that, I’m not one to want the team to lose so that I can get in. I want the boys to do as well as they possibly can in every game they play.
“They’ve done that so far and deserve their place in the team. It’s up to me to be ready – like the friendly game against Bulgaria – to take my chance when it comes along.”
When Mccarthy got the Ireland job, Browne caught his eye because of the goals he was scoring from midfield.
He bagged 12 last season but has yet to get off the mark in this Championship campaign, where Preston are riding high in third.
Browne said: “I could be doing a bit better.
“I haven’t scored yet so that’s something I’ll need to focus on when I get back and try to get some more goals under my belt. That’s where I’ve been catching the eye over the last couple of years.”