Portsmouth winger makes Republic of Ireland pledge should he feature against Finland

But the Pompey winger vowed he will bring ‘something different' to Stephen Kenny’s side should he feature against Finland tonight.

Curtis earned a late call-up to the Eire squad on Sunday night after the squad was decimated because of coronavirus issues ahead of their 0-0 Nations League draw with Wales earlier that day.

John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O'Dowda, Alan Browne and Derrick Williams all missed the match in Dublin after an unnamed player tested positive for Covid-19.

In addition, James McClean was sent off against Wales, meaning he’s surviving a one-match suspension for the Group B1 game in Helsinki.

Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah were already out after being deemed to have been in close contact with a member of the Republic's backroom team who tested positive ahead of their Euro 2021 play-off semi-final against Slovakia. However, both tests have come back as false positives and the pair have rejoined Kenny’s set-up.

Curtis has earned three Eire caps so far, but his last arrived more than a year ago.

Forwards such as Robinson (West Brom), Connolly (Brighton), Robbie Brady (Burnley) and Shane Long (Southampton) are all plying their trade in the Premier League.

In addition, O’Dowda (Bristol City), Idah (Norwich) and McClean (Stoke) feature regularly in the Championship.

While Curtis is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in League One, he accepts it's a tough challenge to usurp those currently ahead in his country's pecking order.

But the 24-year-old is determined to take his chance if he makes a fourth appearance for the Boys In Green.

Speaking to the Derry Journal, Curtis said: ‘It was a bit of a surprise but a welcome one to be fair.

‘I was watching the two games and heard all about the trouble with the Covid tests. So I was just waiting around, hoping I would get a call-up and I did in the end.

‘It’s a bit hard when there are players in my position and most of them are in the Premier League and they’re two steps ahead of me. But I’m not going to stop working hard and I’ll bring something different.

‘I’m not too sure at the minute if I’ll be involved in the game but it would obviously be nice to get some game time. We’ll see!

‘You always want to play for your country and get as many caps as you can.

‘So obviously when I didn’t get picked it was a bit disheartening and frustrating but you just have to work harder to try and get into the squad for the next campaign.

‘I’m grateful to be here now and hopefully, come Wednesday night I can bring something to the table for the lads and the manager.

‘I’ll work my socks off for the lads first and foremost and whatever comes after that, whether it’s goals or whatever, then great but I have to focus on my work rate first and hopefully it comes together after that.’

Ireland failed to qualify for next year’s Euros after suffering a penalty shootout defeat in their play-off against Slovakia last week.

It means Curtis – who’s scored three goals in nine games for Pompey this season – will have to wait a while longer to experience a major tournament, the next being the World Cup in 2022.

And the former Derry City man love to be a part of it should his Eire qualify.

He added: ‘I’m only 24 and I always wanted to be like the Robbie Keanes and players like that who have loads of caps and score lots of goals for their country.

‘As a young lad, playing at World Cups, the Euros - major tournaments - it’s what you dream of and it would’ve been lovely to get there.

‘For a small country like Ireland, it would be amazing to get there with this group of boys.

‘They deserved to win the other night. They hit the post, created chances but you’ve got to take those chances in international football.

'They didn’t deserve to go out on pens. It was horrible. They picked themselves up with a good result and performance against Wales so hopefully a win is coming for us.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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