IT’S ALAN A DAY’S WORK
Irish ace Browne says he isn’t fazed by cap calls despite Mexican baptism of fire
THE ace in the pack tattooed onto Alan Browne’s right calf actually hides an old Liverpool crest that went before it.
Preston North End’s goal-scoring midfielder no longer felt it appropriate to make such public displays of affection.
But the Cork man may yet be a trump card that Ireland fans will love in this Euro qualifying campaign.
By his own admission, Browne has struggled to make an impact in his three senior caps since his debut in the 3-1 defeat to Mexico in New Jersey two years ago.
Mick Mccarthy (inset) was tempted to start the 24-year-old in the March double-header against Gibraltar and Georgia until injury ruled him out.
But in Portugal for this week’s training camp, he is in the mix to face old foes Denmark in Friday week’s big clash in Copenhagen.
Assessing his international career to date, Browne said: “It’s a difficult one because they were friendlies and there’s always a lot of new faces in the teams.
“There’s a bit of inexperience from everyone. It was a learning curve but I’ve taken a lot away from it.
“I wouldn’t say I froze, but probably just a bit of naivety. You want to take how you’ve been playing at club level into international level and you’re eager.
“But you’re not going to be able to play as well in that step-up with players you don’t play with week-in, ALAN BROWNE is confident he can weigh in with goals for Ireland.
He bagged 12 for Preston North End in the Championship from an advanced role this season.
“I wouldn’t associate myself with that position but that’s where I found week-out, so you have to adapt your game to a certain degree.
“The quicker you realise that, the better you’re going to play. But I don’t think my time at international level has been great so far.
“Every game you play at international level is really tough and I soon found that out. But I take it as a good thing, the pressure of international football.
“It gets to some players, but for me personally anyway, I don’t really see it as a negative.
“When the international breaks come, I always seem to get injured, but
I’m raring to go.”
But Browne isn’t alone in failing to set the place on fire as few Irish internationals can hold their head high after a 2018 to forget.
Confidence was at rock bottom in the latter days of Martin O’neill and Roy Keane’s tenure, with Keane’s ferocious summer bust-up myself,” said the Mahon man (right).
“To come away with double figures for the season was a target of mine and thankfully I achieved that.
“I’m a different type of 10. Usually, the 10 is the creative one who gets up there. They’re not going to with players a huge issue behind the scenes.
Assessing that grim year that yielded just one victory in nine games, Browne said: “Looking from the outside, it looked really bad. “But this is a new year and a new chance for everyone to prove themselves again and hopefully get the Irish fans back on our side.
“I don’t think we’ve done ourselves justice in the last year or so. It’s been disappointing and a bad reflection on us.
“So it’s up to us now to turn it around again and get goals as well as clean sheets.” Mccarthy’s arrival has lifted the mood and Browne added: “It seemed to be a complete change around.
“But I think that happens when a new manager comes in. You have to prove yourself all over again and there’s a good atmosphere at the moment.” do a lot of work for you, but when they get the ball they’ll make something happen.
“But in the Preston team, without the ball we’re probably at our best so that position really suits me.”
Browne (right) was in contention to start against Gibraltar in March until injury forced him out of the squad.
Mick Mccarthy believes he has that X-factor around the box - and Browne would love to mirror his club role for country.
He said: “Hopefully, yes, but first and foremost I
Preston number
just want to get myself into the team and, after that, we will go from there.
“If the gaffer wants me to play there then I’m happy to play there.
“I know I can adapt and adapting at international level is another step up again. Hopefully I’m ready for that.”