MY BEST YET TO COME

Happy Harry revitalised after his starring role in victory in Cardiff

HARRY ARTER believes Cardiff was the turning point in his Ireland career – and he’s just going to get better.

A passenger for an hour in the 1-1 draw in Georgia in September, Arter was dropped for the home qualifier against Serbia three days later.

In Tbilisi, Arter looked a shadow of the player who lines out regularly for Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Noticing how quiet

Arter was in camp prior to Ireland’s final group games last month, Martin O’neill took him aside for a chat.

Pleased with the response, O’neill reinstated the all-action midfielder for the crucial victories over Moldova and Wales.

“It was very productive,” Arter said. “It was probably part of the reason why I started against Wales.

“I don’t feel I’m in any position to be knocking on the manager’s door asking or expecting to play.

“It was nice for him to speak to me and get my thoughts. You have to be as honest with a manager.

“There’s no point telling him things he wants to hear. So I was honest about how I performed – and why I performed that way.

“It worked out for the best based on the Wales game.

“It was going well up to Georgia and I’m really thankful to the manager for giving me such a big opportunity and to be part of a great night.

“On a personal note, it was vital.” Arter had told the Republic boss he felt under pressure.

The start of his international career had been stop-start due to injury and, having missed out on the Euro 2016 finals, Arter feared he not yet contributed to the team.

But he added, if given another chance, he wouldn’t let O’neill down.

The 27-year-old said: “After the first couple of trips I felt comfortable with the lads.

“But it was that feeling inside that I didn’t feel I’d contributed to the team on the pitch yet.

“I was trying to play well, to try and get on the ball. When that didn’t happen, I let it affect me negatively.

“It was personally really disappointing so I was thankful to the manager for giving me the opportunity in a massive game. I was just pleased to be part of a positive result.

“I’d no regrets against Wales. I ran myself into the ground.

“To be part of that was great and it’s one of those where you’re just looking forward to the next (international) break.

“Confidence comes purely from playing. I didn’t feel I had been part of anything with the lads up until that point.

“When we qualified for the Euros it was a strange sort of feeling. I was buzzing for the lads, but I felt deep down inside I didn’t really contribute enough to be really part of it.

“This time around it was nice for me personally to be part of such an important game. Those things are bonding, in a way.”

Arter looked the part in Cardiff. His presence of mind presented James Mcclean, left, with the chance to score the winner.

When Jeff Hendrick pulled the ball back it was Arter’s dummy that unlocked the Wales defence.

“If you look in the build up, I see (Mcclean),” recalled Arter.

“You sense when there’s a player there. I knew if I took a touch I wouldn’t be able to get my shot off, so I definitely meant it.

“I said to Jeff I was having t he assist – but he wouldn’t have it!

“International football has definitely improved me. To be part of a team that plays differently to Bournemouth has been a good learning curve.

“It’s taken me a few games to get used to but the Austria game, the Wales game – two good performances I can try and replicate.

“I’ve enjoyed being part of it, even the disappointments.

It’s sometimes games where you don’t play well that you learn the most.

“They’re the games you look at to really evolve and improve in the future.”