Robbie Brady determined to make set-pieces count at Euro 2016

Robbie Brady has vowed to spend the next two months honing his dead-ball skills as he prepares for this summer’s Euro 2016 finals.

The 24-year-old Norwich left-footer is the man tasked with taking Ireland's set-pieces and he hopes his deliveries can be a source of goals in France.

Brady said: "My job in the team at the minute - not my only job - is to take set-pieces when they come about, so it's vitally important for me to be on point, especially going into such a tournament like this when that could be the difference.

"If I just put it in there and keep putting it in good areas, then we have got a great chance of scoring a goal.

"I'll be practising now until the summer and hopefully I can put in a few good ones and a few to remember."

Brady did just that on Friday night when his second-minute corner was helped on by defender Shane Duffy for his central defensive partner Ciaran Clark to score the only goal in a 1-0 friendly victory over Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium.

He said: "That's my job, to put it in that area, but all credit goes to the two lads. Big Duffy is a massive presence in there and he has been putting his head on things since I've known him.

"I knew if I put it in a good area, he can get a touch on it and get a chance. Clarky was on the move at the same time and he did well to put it in."

A midfielder by trade, former Manchester United player Brady has also found himself in demand at left-back for his country in recent times, and that is where he lined up against the Swiss.

He freely admits he is having to learn the defensive side of his duties on the job, although he is happy to play wherever Ireland boss Martin O'Neill wants him to if it means he is in the team.

Brady said: "I've been asked where I would prefer to play and, 'Where do you think you're going to play?' but I don't care, to be honest.

"I'll play left back, I'll play left midfield - at the minute, I don't really have any preference. I'm just happy to be playing and I'm enjoying every game I come back and play here.

"It's fantastic to play in front of your home crowd like this and I'm sure it's going to feel like a home crowd when we go over there. It'll be a great atmosphere. I'll play either position."

Brady and his team-mates will now turn their attention to Tuesday's clash with Slovakia in Dublin before returning to their clubs.

However, they will do so with just one fit striker in Shane Long as Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Daryl Murphy and Robbie Keane are all ruled out with injuries.