Robbie Brady: Republic of Ireland absence hurt but now I’m ready for Denmark
Watch Republic of Ireland vs New Zealand on Sky Sports Football from 7.40pm on Thursday, followed by their European Qualifier against Denmark on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix at 7pm on November 18
Tuesday 12 November 2019 12:03, UK
Robbie Brady is ready to turn Republic of Ireland frustration into euphoria and help the side to take a step closer to Euro 2020 qualification with victory over Denmark.
The 27-year-old is back in Mick McCarthy's squad after missing out on last month's double-header against Georgia and Switzerland due to a lack of game time at club side Burnley.
Ireland face New Zealand in a friendly on Thursday evening before the crucial Dublin showdown with the Danes four days later in a must-win encounter to keep qualification hopes alive.
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- Connolly out of Denmark game with injury
- Brady, Clark in final Rep of Ireland squad
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Brady admits it's been hard to watch Ireland's campaign from a distance over the past few months and is ready to make up for lost time, forcing himself back into the starting-XI for the Denmark game with a impressive performance against the Kiwis.
"It was disappointing to not be around the camp for so long," Robbie Brady said. "It did hurt but I'm delighted to be back.
"I don't like sitting around and want to play and give 100% all the time. I would have loved to have been here for every single game, it kills me when I'm not involved.
"But hopefully I can time it right and give a good account of myself to get back in the team.
"Being back gives me that little bit of extra drive to perform and hopefully get my name on the team sheet for the big game (against the Danes)."
Ireland looking for redemption
Much of the build-up to the Denmark game has focused on the last meeting between the two sides in Dublin when an emphatic 5-1 victory saw the Danes qualify for the 2018 World Cup at Ireland's expense.
And although Brady is keen to avoid a repeat of that heartbreak, he is adamant the situation is very different this time round.
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"These games come few and far between - it's a great opportunity to turn it around and make sure it doesn't happen again," Brady added.
"We were so disappointed last time but it's a different game, different year and different squad of players and different circumstances.
"I don't want to feel the disappointing like I did last time so we'll all be pushing for a better result.
"We've put ourselves in a good spot and hopefully we can come away with a memorable and historic result and qualify for the Euros."
