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Football

12th Feb 2016

Chris Forrester feels that there could be a major hurdle preventing him playing for Ireland

Kevin McGillicuddy

We don’t think Chris Forrester should be worrying.

The Peterborough midfielder was one of shining lights on Wednesday night as ‘The Posh’ exited the FA Cup in a penalty shoot out loss to West Brom.

The former Bohemians and St Pat’s man was hugely impressive on the night and received high praise afterwards for his all-action display, especially from Gary Lineker on the BBC.

“We’ve all been impressed. He (Forrester) has got a delightful touch.

Martin O’Neill is likely to be looking for some bolters for his Euro 2016 squad, but the 23-year-old feels that his chances of being called up by may be affected by the fact that he’s playing League One football.

Speaking to The Sun, Forrester explained how he feels that he faces a tough test to step up to international level.

“But I really don’t know if you can do it from League One. You see a lot of people saying stuff but I wouldn’t be able to say. I don’t know what’s in Martin O’Neill’s or Roy Keane’s heads. All I can do is keep trying to play as well as I can consistently. That is what I am trying to do.

“I don’t really know if someone in League One can be picked — but all I can do is keeping trying my best.

The Dubliner has enjoyed a wonderful season so far with rave reviews following his performance midweek. He certainly looks capable of stepping up and the midfielder admits that playing for Ireland would be a dream come true.

“It’s nice that they’re saying that. If it happened, I wouldn’t know what to say. It would be unreal, it would be amazing. It would be unbelievable. I would love it.

“If it does ever happen, I’ll take it in my stride and do the best that I can. I’ll be there for a reason. It would be because they think I’m good enough.”

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 26/6/2015 St. Patrick's Athletic vs Longford Town Chris Forrester of Pat's celebrates scoring his second goal of the game with Conor McCormack Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

James McClean was among many who were impressed by the Peterborough player and even tweeted about his performance following the result.

https://twitter.com/JamesMcC14/status/697557102580133888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Forrester admits that being applauded by the Baggies winger was very special.

“It’s good to see that people are thinking highly of me like that and senior players like McClean are saying that. It’s welcome when someone you look up to, who played League of Ireland and got a move to the Premier League, earning a lot of money, playing international football, says something like that.

“He’s doing what everyone coming from League of Ireland wants to achieve.”

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