Ireland under-21 Connor Ronan: 'You can still feel that confidence around the camp and that attitude towards qualifying is still the same'

At the age of 22 years, Connor Ronan’s career has brought him all across Europe. 

After successful stints at Blackpool and FC DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda of Slovakia, the Wolves loanee is now playing in the Swiss Super League with Grasshopper Club Zurich. 

He’s well aware that his route to Jim Crawford’s under-21 Ireland squad has been unconventional.

He also believes that his spells in Europe have been of significant personal benefit to him. 

“I think going out to Slovakia stood me in good stead for whatever is going to come my way within my career”, he says, speaking to the media before Ireland’s crucial European Championship qualifier against Italy. 

Initially, however, he wasn’t so sure of a move to Dunajská Streda: “At the time before going it probably didn’t look like the best move for me. That was my personal opinion of it.”

It turned out to be the perfect move for the young midfielder. The Slovak league gave him his first taste of men’s football, week in, week out.

“After going there and, having that success out there, and playing as many games as I did, I think it put me in good stead.

“I think whatever comes my way, whether it's going to be in England or whether it's abroad, I'll be ready for it, obviously off the back of that Slovakia thing.”

Now back on the continent with Grasshoppers, Ronan still has his eye on the Premier League. 

“I've felt that in my own career and my style of football, that maybe at this time it might be a bit more suited to abroad.

“[That’s] not to say that I'm not looking to play my career in England and play at the highest level possible.”

Reaching the top level of the game on the international stage is also a key objective for Ronan, who qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandparents. 

Having worked with Stephen Kenny at under-21 level, he admits it’s hard not to ponder on the possibility of a senior call up. 

“I try not to think too much about it, but obviously when you see lads that you've played with at under-21 level, the likes of Aaron [Connolly], Troy [Parrott], Adam [Idah], Jayson [Molumby], all the lads that have made that step up, it does kind of creep into the back of your mind, that it is possible.

“I think with the way Stephen is, you know, he's not afraid to call up young players.” 

“I'd be surprised if it wasn't in the back of everyone's mind who's in this 21s camp, knowing that if you perform well for the 21s and you're consistently performing at your club, then it is a possibility.”

For now, however, the focus is next Tuesday, and Italy. The philosophy instilled in the under-21s by Kenny will be maintained by new head coach Jim Crawford. Ronan believes that this side can face up to anyone. 

“You can still feel that confidence around the camp and that attitude towards qualifying is still the same, and you know, sometimes managers change at club level and there's a different feel around the club, but I wouldn't say that's the case here.

“I think the attitude is similar in terms of Jim and Stephen, with the confidence going into games. I don't think we're going to be afraid of anyone.”