Everton captain Seamus Coleman has said he has no intention of retiring from Republic of Ireland duty.
The 33-year-old started against Portugal on Thursday night, helping to keep an attack that included Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at bay in a 0-0 draw.
Coleman returned to Stephen Kenny’s lineup as part of a back three, after being ruled out of the last international break in October due to a hamstring injury.
When asked if he intended to remain part of the manager’s plans for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, the experienced defender gave a typically determined response.
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"As long as I warrant my place in the team with my performances at club level, then yes," Coleman told RTE .
"I don't want to be in the team to be an experienced player, I want to have a reason to be here and that is to be on the pitch.
“If I'm doing the business at club level and the international manager wants to pick me, I'll be available.”
He continued: "I'm not one of those players who is thinking about retiring from Ireland, because it means so much to me.
“Whatever form I'm in at the time and if it warrants a place in the national team, then I will be available."
Coleman is currently on 62 caps for his country and has assumed a familiar leadership role within the Republic of Ireland setup.
Despite his advancing years, his importance to the Blues was keenly felt when the right-back was absent during the early weeks of the current campaign.
The defender admits that his determination to put his body on the line for club and country has led to him suffering more injuries than other experienced players - but insists he can’t play any other way.
"I've had a few niggles and sometimes if I was like maybe another player and putting myself first, then maybe the niggles wouldn't recur,” he said.
"But for me personally, I will always push the boundaries and I won't give it the correct timeframe that is needed.
"I will try to push the manager at Everton or the manager at Ireland and sometimes it's me that suffers because of that.”
“I say time after time that I'm definitely going to change it and give it more time to recover. I can't do it, I can't put myself first,” Coleman continued.
"If the team needs me - Everton or Ireland - I'm there for the team and I will do all I can to play."
