Sammie Szmodics believes Ireland attack 'not far away from clicking'

The Ipswich Town man believes that once he scores his first goal for Ireland, he'll "continue to get them".

Sammie Szmodics speaks to the media during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Noise that accompanied his arrival on the Ireland scene continued with his presence in camp and now Sammie Szmodics is determined to shout loudest with goals.

He was a long time waiting for his Ireland debut, Hungary tabling Euro participation during the abeyance as an alternative route, and all he’s missing after eight caps is getting off the mark.

This first Premier League season of his career, at the age of 29, has delivered on that front.

Szmodics scored at Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter on Sunday a spectacular overhead kick to instigate Ipswich's first league victory of the campaign.

Even though he only joined Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys in August for £11m, his career map mirrors the rise of his new employers. He’s elevated from League Two to the Premier League, replete with a couple of setbacks, to fulfil his club and country ambitions.

What’s remained constant is his persona. Szmodics is the cheeky chappy from Colchester who’s spoken up for himself when dismissed as lacking the big-game stardust.

Each hurdle has been navigated, his readiness for the ultimate stage announced by grabbing the golden boot with 33 goals for a Blackburn Rovers side that finished outside the playoff zone.

Chances to complement his club haul with international goals have been spurned but Finland at home on Thursday and the “big one”, as he calls it, at Wembley on Sunday are opportune games for the in-form attacker.

“I’m a bit loud and bubbly,” he admits.

“I was probably annoying when I came into the Ireland camp. It’s lucky we only spend a week with each other because they’d get sick of me.

“I’m enthusiastic on the pitch and the same off it. We’re living in each other’s pockets when we’re away. Not only me, but there’s also a lot of people like that in this tight-knit group.

“Everyone wants the best for each other. Being enthusiastic off the pitch will only help our relationships on it.” 

How he fuses with Evan Ferguson, as well as Troy Parrott, may unlock the armoury of an Ireland side that has only scored in two of their eight games in 2024.

Ferguson is back to full fitness, starting and scoring for Brighton and Hove Albion, while Parrott has produced the goods on a regular basis with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. Szmodics operated off the pair in the last encounter, a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Greece four weeks ago.

“I’m still learning how he plays and it’s probably vice-versa,” the elder statesman said about Ferguson, a newcomer to his twenties.

“He’s a goalscorer, a young lad, who works hard and wants to learn.

“It’s different to building relationships at clubs. Compared to training together every day, you don’t get that much time on the grass. There’s a lot of video meetings.

“Relationships have definitely improved but we’ve got to learn quickly because there’s not loads of time. The best way to practise it is in the games.

“Apart from the result against Greece, there were some really good parts in the second half. We’re not far away from clicking.

“I’m waiting for that first Irish goal. Performances have been good but the goal is something I’m missing. But once I get one, I’ll continue to get them. That would be the icing on the cake after a great year.” 

Szmodics has scrapped to get this far and doesn’t intend stopping. After Sunday’s heroics at the Tottenham stadium, he was pictured with Ipswich Town’s sponsor and minority shareholder Ed Sheeran toasting their victory. Every moment is to be cherished, especially when he feared time would beat him.

“I’ve worked so hard to get to the Premier League,” he reflects, aware the showcase continues by facing Manchester United directly after this international double-header.

“I’m 29 now but when at 27, you start thinking of the Premier League as just a dream and you’ll never get there.

“It comes from hard working, believing in yourself, as well as coaches over the years believing in you.

“Yeah, it's been a journey. That’s what our Ipswich manager Kieran says a lot.

“We've all come from lower leagues and I feel the Premier League is where I deserve to be.” 

Szmodics is entitled to make a racket about his ascent.