From Brendan Crossan in Abbotstown
REPUBLIC of Ireland’s new recruit Kasey McAteer could easily have been wearing the green of Northern Ireland – but the Leicester City striker revealed the emotional pull towards the south was much greater.
Speaking at Ireland’s training base in Abbotstown ahead of Saturday’s Uefa Nations Cup opener with England in Dublin on Saturday, McAteer said he had discussions about playing for the north.
The Northampton-born striker, whose grandparents hailed from Belfast and Co Offaly, admitted he was flattered by Northern Ireland’s interest.
“It definitely was a possibility [playing for Northern Ireland],” McAteer told reporters.
“When I first heard about it, it was a big moment: ‘Wow, a country is coming for me and wanting me to play for them’…
“There were a few conversations had but not as much as I had with the Republic, and I felt like here was the place for me to be. I felt really wanted here. I had a lot of connections with here, with John O’Shea and people in the past who had called me.
“It was an ongoing thing [with Republic of Ireland] with phone calls and emails etc.
“That’s when I wanted to take it further, and get my Irish passport and Irish citizenship done and dusted, so I am glad I got it done. Hopefully I can give my best for the country.”
McAteer was always aware of his Irishness growing up, and that was due to his late uncle who was a “massive follower of Ireland”.
“Everywhere he went he wore a little Irish badge and always reminded me that my blood is with Ireland. That was always drilled into me from young and hopefully he can be proud looking down on me.”
Former boss Stephen Kenny appeared to be the first person on the scent of McAteer before his contract with Ireland wasn’t renewed last November, while the player himself said it “took time” to sort out his Irish citizenship.
England never came knocking for McAteer’s services during his underage years at Leicester.
“I didn’t ever hook up with England on a schoolboy basis.
“There was a lot of talent coming through in my age group - but when this came to me it was sort of a no-brainer: to play for a country, and a country that seems so driven and determined.”
So, what can the languid wide player offer Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland team ahead of this week’s double-header with England and Greece – both in Dublin?
Pace and a goal threat, primarily.
He was loaned out twice in recent seasons to Forest Green Rovers [2022] and AFC Wimbledon [2023] where, he said, “you have to go down to those leagues and suffer at times”.
He returned to his parent club and played an important role in returning Leicester to the Premier League last season.
He was a late substitute in Leicester’s Premier League games against Spurs and Fulham last month and didn’t feature in the side’s 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa at the weekend, but did play 83 minutes in their Carabao Cup win over Tranmere Rovers.
Given the stiff competition among Ireland’s strikers, it would be a major surprise if Hallgrimsson started the rookie international against England - with a substitute appearance on Saturday or on Tuesday night against Greece the most likely outcome .
Inspired by Jamie Vardy, particularly during Leicester’s unlikely Premier League triumph in the 2015/16 season, McAteer feels he has plenty to offer Ireland on the international stage.
“I’d like to say my biggest strength is my running power. I like to run, I think you can tell with my long legs, it’s probably one of my biggest assets.
“I can play a number of positions. Obviously growing up at Leicester you learn different positions. I’ve played in the past at wing-back, on the wing, centre midfield, the wing, in the 10, I can play in a variety.
“If I could narrow it down, I’d probably say right or left wing, that’s definitely where I’ve learned most of my things in the last year or so, but at the end of the day I’ll do a job wherever I get put on the pitch and hopefully I can deliver my best.”
