Express & Star

Liam Kinsella targets Walsall starting spot

LIAM KINSELLA says he will be doing everything he can over the summer to earn a starting spot at Walsall.

Published
Last updated

The youngster has spent the past week with the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad at a specially arranged training camp.

Kinsella is now hoping to be part of the Ireland squad that plays against Azerbaijan in September.

And he says he is determined to work hard over the summer to impress Saddlers boss Jon Whitney as well as Noel King, the head coach of Republic of Ireland under 21s.

“I always look forward to every new season,” Kinsella said.

“I’m going to work really hard this pre-season and I can hopefully try to get that spot.

“I’ve only had a week off so far but I can’t complain.

“I was at a training camp with the Republic of Ireland.

“We then played an Irish team and won 3-1.

“I played 90 minutes.

“We have a UEFA U21 Championship qualifying game in September against Azerbaijan and this was an opportunity for the manager to look at the players ahead of that.”

Kinsella says he sees it as an honour to be called up by the Republic of Ireland and admitted he enjoys going away and experiencing international football.

“We travelled up on the Saturday morning and did a 20-minute each-way game with two teams,” he continued.

“Then on Sunday we just relaxed and prepared for the game on Monday.

“It was decent! We were based at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Shamrock Rovers’ home ground.

““I’ve known all the lads in the U21s for a couple of squads now - we’re called up three or four times and it’s an honour to be called up.

“The first time was against Serbia at home in the qualifying campaign last year.

“It’s really good to be noticed by the national team for all the work I’m putting in at Walsall, and it shows that hard work does pay off.”