Greg’s got a Cunning plan for an Irish return
CARDIFF left-back Greg Cunningham hopes that his move to Wales can help him reignite his Ireland career.
Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock finally landed the defender, 27, at the third attempt after the lure of the Premier League proved too tempting.
And he is hoping top-flight football can get him back in Ireland boss Martin O’Neill’s thoughts.
Wales and Ireland go head-to-head in the Nations League at Cunningham’s new home ground, the Cardiff City Stadium, in September.
“Hopefully a return to the Premier League can mean a return to Ireland,” said Cunningham. “I got called up over the summer but didn’t get any minutes on the pitch.
“It’s been a good while since I’ve been capped. I’ve been out of the frame. I’m back in now so I have to prove what I can do. If I’m playing well at club level then that should come, if it doesn’t then so be it.
“It would be like a home game for me to play for Ireland against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“There’ll be some great games in that Nations League group that I want to be a part of.”
Cunningham moved to the Welsh capital from Preston in a deal worth up to £3.5million, joining fellow new boys Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy.
He is set for a battle with Joe Bennett for the left-back spot, despite being deployed as a centre-back in Cardiff’s pre-season defeat to Rotherham.
But Cunningham does not care where he plays as long as he gets the chance to shine against the world’s elite.
“My main focus is Cardiff but if the international call comes, then great. For now, though, I’m fully focused on my job here,” he added.
“Of course the Premier League is what lured me here. It’s the pinnacle of English football. It’s where you want to play, up against the best players in the world.
“I’ll play wherever the gaffer wants me to and do what’s best for the team.
“But just because you’re spending big doesn’t mean it’s going to come off.
“We have a close, tight-knit group here and that’s priceless. We’ll work very hard between now and the start of the season to make sure we’re on it.”