Ronan Curtis hasn't misplaced confidence as Portsmouth prepare for Oxford battle

Ronan Curtis is brimming with confidence ahead of Pompey’s League One play-off semi-final against Oxford.
Ronan Curtis with Pompey team-mate Marcus HarnessRonan Curtis with Pompey team-mate Marcus Harness
Ronan Curtis with Pompey team-mate Marcus Harness

That’s despite being out of action, along with the rest of his Blues team-mates, since the 2-2 draw with Fleetwood at Fratton Park on Tuesday, March 10.

And irrespective of the winger’s lack of goals in the matches before lockdown began.

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Eleven games had passed since the Irishman’s last strike against Lincoln at the back end of January.

However, as Pompey prepare for their double-header against the U’s, Curtis has clearly maintained a belief in his ability – an attitude that has seen him shine since arriving from Fratton Park from League of Ireland Derry in the summer of 2018.

And it’s surely a quality manager Kenny Jackett will be hoping all his players display as they plot a last-gasp route to the Championship.

Speaking to our sister paper, The Derry Journal, Curtis ‘You never lose your confidence.

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‘I know I have the ability, skills and my mindset is right so on the day you’ve just gotta turn up.

‘So I’m raring to go and all the boys are raring to go. We just can’t wait to play the game.

‘It’s amazing to get back out there and train with the boys and get the chance to finish off the play-offs.’

Curtis is currently on 13 goals for the season, taking his tally to 25 strikes in 88 appearances for the Blues.

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Those sort of stats have seen him called up to the Republic of Ireland squad on a regular basis since his arrival on the south cost – firstly under Martin O’Neil and then as part of Mick McCarthy’s Ireland set-up.

Former Derry manager Stephen Kenny is now in the hot seat, after McCarthy’s decision to step aside following the decision to postpone this year’s European Championship until 2021.

Assisted by another former Derry man, Ruaidhri Higgins, he’ll take charge of Eire’s play-off against Slovakia, which will most likely be in the autumn, as Uefa looks to confirm it’s line-up for the tournament.

And Curtis has his eye on that prize, too, as he bids to make it a successful stint for both club and country.

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He added: ‘We’ve then got two big play-off games for Ireland then so there’s a big couple of months coming up.

‘We could be in the Championship by then but we’ll see what happens.

‘I know Ruaidhri from Derry and Dundalk obviously playing with him and against him so I'm looking forward to meeting up again and seeing Stephen Kenny and his structure of play and be on his side rather than against him this time. So it will be good.’

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