Amond eager to impress O'Neill
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Padraig Amond knows that he needs to do enough from now and until the end of the season to impress Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill to earn a new contract.
The Republic of Ireland U-21 international has been frozen out at club level recently due to the form of other strikers and he faces a tough task to break back into the team.
In fact, Amond is even struggling to earn a place on the bench with new signing Graham Barrett and exciting youth team product Don Cowan ahead of him in the pecking order.
The pressure is certainly on the County Carlow native to step up his game and prove that he can contribute to The Hoops as they chase Bohemians for top spot in the Premier Division.
“Hopefully the gaffer wants me to stay next year and that will give me a lot of confidence out of that,” explained Amond.
“Obviously you want to be playing football but Rovers is the club to be at the minute.
“You see the quality of players we have but the thing is I’m very young. I’m only 21, it’s not a case that I’m 25. I want to be playing every week, but it’s not a case of I need to be playing every week.
“You just try to get on with it. You hope to get a chance and when you get a chance, you’ve got to take it.”
The Republic of Ireland U-21 international has been frozen out at club level recently due to the form of other strikers and he faces a tough task to break back into the team.
In fact, Amond is even struggling to earn a place on the bench with new signing Graham Barrett and exciting youth team product Don Cowan ahead of him in the pecking order.
The pressure is certainly on the County Carlow native to step up his game and prove that he can contribute to The Hoops as they chase Bohemians for top spot in the Premier Division.
“Hopefully the gaffer wants me to stay next year and that will give me a lot of confidence out of that,” explained Amond.
“Obviously you want to be playing football but Rovers is the club to be at the minute.
“You see the quality of players we have but the thing is I’m very young. I’m only 21, it’s not a case that I’m 25. I want to be playing every week, but it’s not a case of I need to be playing every week.
“You just try to get on with it. You hope to get a chance and when you get a chance, you’ve got to take it.”
About Gareth Maher
Gareth Maher is an award-winning journalist who has covered domestic, international and women's football for the best part of a decade. Previously a columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Football Editor for Setanta Sports, … View Full Profile