You've got to have faith, says Morrison
The Birmingham striker scored his fourth goal in his last six matches when he claimed the winner in a 1-0 Lansdowne Road friendly win over China on Tuesday.
His international form is in stark contrast to his club form, where he is struggling to win a first-team place under Blues manager Steve Bruce. He has even stalled on signing a new contract in the knowledge it could affect his international opportunities next season. However, he has the backing of manager Kerr and Manchester United midfielder Keane as he said: "It's that green jersey - it just brings the best out in me.
"It's also about a manager who has faith in you. If you have that and you know you are going to play every time you are called up then you are going to be full of confidence. Whereas if you are not playing, or you are in and out, you don't think the manager has that faith in you and that affects you.
"There are also brilliant players around me. I'm obviously playing with better players with Ireland than those at Birmingham, and that also gives you confidence. In particular, since Roy Keane returned to the side, I have got on brilliantly with him.
"He helps me out a lot, and when you've someone like that barking instructions out to you, again it gives you a massive lift."
Morrison's lack of match action at Birmingham since the transfer-window arrivals of Robbie Blake and Walter Pandiani is of great concern to him.
"What happens now is up to the manager. At the moment he has his front two he likes to pick [Emile Heskey and Pandiani] and wants to play.
"All I can do is keep giving him reminders of what I can do when I'm out on the pitch because I've been talking too much and saying 'come on Steve Bruce, give me this, give me that', so I'll just let my football do the talking.
"There were a few championship clubs that wanted to take me on loan, but the manager didn't want to let me go. If I had gone then maybe it would have been of benefit to me, because I do need games.
"But the manager says I am still part of his plans, so hopefully with eight games to go I will play some part.
"I'll just keep going because we've the June qualifiers and they will be key, but if I'm not playing in the Premiership, then I will train hard, work hard and play reserve games to keep my fitness up."
Meanwhile 'Lisbon Lion' Bertie Auld was in Dublin yesterday to announce details of a fundraising dinner for his fellow Glasgow Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone, who is living with motor neuron disease.
All proceeds from the dinner, which takes place in the Regency Airport Hotel on June 5, will go to help Johnstone and motor neuron disease research. Some members of the legendary Celtic team which became the first club in Britain to lift the European Cup - when they beat Inter Milan in Lisbon in 1967 - will be in attendance on the day, including goalscorer Tommy Gemmell, Billy McNeill and Bertie Auld himself.
"We're sure it'll be a sell-out because it's for such a great cause," said Auld. "Everybody knows how this affects people but Jimmy being Jimmy Johnstone has helped to raise awareness of the problem and there's been a huge response to anything we've done."
Former Scottish international Johnstone, a jockey-sized winger who so tormented full-backs with his dancing feet that he earned the nickname 'Jinky', has long remained a favourite with Celtic fans and team-mates alike.
"Everybody's in touch with Jimmy," said Auld.
"Obviously, he hasn't been well for a while now, he's had the disease for about four years, but we all take huge encouragement from the way he's handled it, because he's a fantastic character."
Tickets for the June 5 dinner in Dublin cost €65 and are available by contacting Brian Gaff on 086-2387423.
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