Aaron Connollly wants to be Ireland’s next sharpshooter and declared: “I love that pressure and will never shy away from it’.
The Boys in Green have been crying out for a prolific striker ever since Robbie Keane’s retirement.
And after David McGoldrick’s shock retirement, Connolly will play through the middle instead of on the left.
That’s his preferred position and ahead of Thursday’s Wembley clash with England, the Brighton ace insists he won’t be daunted.
“I love hearing stuff like that and I love the pressure,” he said of being a posterboy for a new attacking generation that also includes Adam Idah and Troy Parrott.
“It’s nice at 20 years of age, and 19 for Adam, to have pressure like that on you and fans and coaches expecting things from you
“I'm never going to shy away from that. I like the way people put pressure on because it makes you feel wanted.
“They obviously think you can do something great and I'm sure myself and Adam will have no problem with that.”
Connolly had no idea that Sheffield United ace McGoldrick was going to call it quits with Ireland.
But he knows a window of opportunity has opened for him in a central role, which he plays for Brighton.
“I just went on social media and saw it,” said Connolly. “David is going to be a big loss but I don’t feel like there’s any pressure on (the younger strikers).
“It would have been nice to play with David as I only played 20 minutes with him in an international game.
“He’s a top player and is going to be missed, but I’m definitely going to enjoy the step up if the gaffer wants to play me through the middle and fill David’s boots.”
