Penalty saves and a goal - Ireland U21 goalkeeper Josh Keeley hoping for more heroics against Man City

SUPER KEEPER: Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley is plotting more FA Cup heroics against Manchester City. Pic: Pete Norton/Getty Images.

Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley is plotting more FA Cup heroics against Manchester City.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has been the undoubted star of Orient's run to the fourth round, having saved penalties in shoot-out wins over Boreham Wood and Derby.

As if that were not enough, the 21-year-old also scored a header in the ninth minute of stoppage time to equalise against Oldham in their eventual 2-1 win.

And Keeley, on loan with the League One O's from Tottenham, would have no hesitation in bombing forward in search of a late goal against City.

"Yes, 100 per cent," said the former St Pats shotstopper.

"And if we were only 1-0 down I'd be buzzing.

"I've been up for corners a couple of times. With Ireland's Under-21s we played in Norway last year and I went up, and the ball fell to me on the edge of the box, but I couldn't shoot so I had to pass it.

"In school I always played upfield. I used to love getting on the ball. Then in lockdown playing on a local pitch I scored a bicycle kick and people said I was a natural.

"Unfortunately I don't get a goal bonus - but I've told my agent for my next contract."

City may have had a turbulent season by their standards but they showed no mercy to League Two Salford in an 8-0 win in the previous round.

However, facing Erling Haaland and company holds no fear for Keeley having regularly come up against world-class forwards at Spurs.

"I've obviously trained with Premier League players like Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, all top players, so I know what I'm in for," he added.

"I know a few of the other boys have played at that level so they know what the standard is like, we've just got to go from there.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's a bit of a cliche but you have to treat it as another game.

"I know it's the Premier League champions coming but you've got to take it as the game starts and go from there. We've worked hard to get to this position."