Aberdeen vs Fola Esch - O'Connor targets Republic of Ireland call-up

Posted Thursday, June 30, 2016 by PA

Anthony O'Connor has targeted a Republic of Ireland call-up after joining Aberdeen.

The versatile 23-year-old joined the Dons on Saturday after being released by Burton and could make his debut in the Dons' Europa League opener against Fola Esch of Luxembourg at Pittodrie on Thursday.

The former Irish under-21 international said: "A massive goal of mine is to get into the senior Republic of Ireland squad.

"They have done well in the Euros. (It's) disappointing to go out to one of the best teams in it, France, but one of my goals is definitely to get in it.

"I'm an ambitious lad. I want to push on to bigger and better things. Hopefully I can do that at this club."

Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes made several Irish squads before missing out on a trip to France, and O'Connor is optimistic that Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane will keep an eye on his progress.

"I don't think they will look at Scottish football any different to the way they look at players in the English league," the former Blackburn and Plymouth player said.

"That was a big decision for me coming here, I think they will be looking at a lot of the Irish players up here.

"Jonny has had a little taste of it and hopefully in the future I can do the same."

Northern Ireland forward Niall McGinn will play in their Europa League opener, five days after his Euro 2016 campaign ended.

Kenny McLean and Jonny Hayes returned to training on Tuesday after picking up knocks, while Derek McInnes is confident Ash Taylor will be fit too, but Callum Morris could miss out.

The likes of goalkeepers Joe Lewis and Neil Alexander are pushing for their debuts but Miles Storey does not officially join the Dons until Friday.