Westwood relishes opportunity

Keiren Westwood was delighted with his performance after the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 win over World Cup bound Paraguay on Monday night.

The Coventry City 'keeper claimed his first ever cap in Dublin at the RDS, the rest of the 25-year-old's appearances for Ireland have come outside of the capital.

“Yeah, I was delighted to put on the shirt. I thought I did okay but I didn't really have a lot to do. I thought what I did was steady enough, I'd rather have nothing to do and win the game,” he said.

Ireland may have to do without the services of usual net-minder Shay Given, for their opening Euro 2012 Championship game away to Armenia on September 3rd, but Westwood insists manager Giovanni Trapattoni has not spoken to him in relation to the game.

“I don't see why he should, the boss makes the decisions so I'll just live by whatever he does. He's the manager at the end of the day and I just do what I'm told.

“I'm just looking to play as many minutes as I can and this is the chance for me to be in the set-up and establish myself in the squad. Anything else is a bonus.”

The English-born 'keeper signed for Coventry in 2008 and made his début for Ireland in 2009, in a friendly game against Nigeria, and since then he hasn't looked back as his career has begun to blossom.

“I think every year has been a progression for me really. Since getting released from Manchester City I've gone back to the conference and worked my way back up to where I am now,” he explained.

“I have to keep going, I'm not one of these lads who thinks I've 'made it' or anything silly like that. I have to keep doing what I'm doing because it's got me here so far.”