Reid concentrates on Republic

Andy Reid will use the start of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign to mask his disappointment and frustration at failing to land a big-money Premiership move.

Nottingham Forest winger Reid was long linked with Spurs prior to Tuesday’s closure of the transfer window, but despite submitting a request to leave, the deal he had hoped for failed to materialise.

It means Reid must continue to ply his trade at Coca-Cola Championship level with Joe Kinnear’s side and wait until January at the earliest to finally make the step up to the top flight.

For now, Reid will console himself with a starting role with the Republic tomorrow as Brian Kerr’s side open their Group Four account with a Lansdowne Road clash against Cyprus.

“I’ve forced my way into the Ireland squad over the last year, and my performances have been good,” insisted Reid, ahead of what will be his first competitive outing after a run of eight friendly appearances.

“I’ve done enough to keep myself in the squad and push for a place in the team, while my performances at club level have been really good.

“I won player of the year at Forest last season, and although we didn’t have a great year, I felt I did well enough.

“So I don’t think anybody can level at me that not moving to the Premiership has upset my game or it has upset me personally.

“Obviously it’s frustrating and disappointing I didn’t get to move to a Premiership club. But all I need to do is get my head down and get on with the games we have.

“I’ve said before, every time I go out on the pitch for Forest I will give everything I have – as I always have done – and look forward to these trips when I come away.

“Coming on this trip for these two games softens the blow. It’s brilliant to come away and I can’t stop smiling every time I think about this big game coming up.”

Reid has become a regular under Kerr this year, enhancing his reputation with his first goal at international level in a 1-1 friendly draw at home to Bulgaria last month.

The 22-year-old has certainly emerged for the Republic after being criticised just over two years ago by under-21 manager Don Givens who questioned the player’s application.

Givens felt Reid would would never progress until he addressed that particular side of his character, but he has since made the grade.

“I always knew I had the ability,” maintained Reid.

“At the time I had a lot of things going on in my life and wasn’t properly committing myself to football, but I’ve grown up a hell of a lot since then and I’ve learned so much from a lot of people.

“I’m delighted with where I am at the moment, so I’m not prepared to look back now. I’m just looking forward to this campaign, and especially to tomorrow’s game.

“It’s every boy’s dream to play in a World Cup qualifying game and with a chance to get to the World Cup finals.”

Kerr has understandably been happy with Reid’s progress and feels he can give his side a cutting edge on the right, stating: “Andy has been threatening to do something for some time.

“People who have seen him were aware he could come up with the unusual and have the vision to see something different in an attacking sense.

“He has good technique, is good with either foot and has a very good goalscoring record for someone who generally plays in a wide position,”

Reid is certainly looking to add his one goal, and believes he is more than capable of doing so given the way he has adapted to the international scene.

“It’s always easier playing with better players, and that’s what I am doing,” added Reid.

“It’s a pleasure to play with them, and I have found it easier than I thought, like when you see Robbie Keane making a really good run you can pick him out, which doesn’t always happen at the level I’m playing at.

“I also feel I can chip in with a few goals because you can’t rely on the strikers to get them. They have to come from other parts of the pitch.

“I believe I have a good goalscoring record, and after getting my first, hopefully I can move it on now and get a couple more.”

Kerr has a squad of 20 for the games with Cyprus and then Switzerland on Wednesday in Basle as Roy Keane, Matt Holland, Rory Delap and Liam Miller are all out injured.