Kyle Vassell confident Kilmarnock can rejuvenate his Northern Ireland dream as star sets retirement destination

Kyle Vassell feared his Northern Ireland cap collection was finished at two. But after hitting top form to help Kilmarnock beat the drop, the striker reckons the Premiership can provide the platform to prove his international days aren’t numbered.

The 30-year-old made his only appearances for the Irish in Nations League defeats to Austria and Bosnia in October 2018 under Michael O’Neill. He hasn’t been involved in a squad since the boss ended his first term in charge two years later. O’Neill is back at the helm though. And while the Green and White Army’s hopes of reaching Euro 2024 took a blow with back-to-back defeats to Denmark and Kazakhstan this month, Vassell is desperate to thrust himself back into the squad by picking up from where he left off last season with Killie.

The striker, who qualifies through his County Fermanagh-born grandfather, struck four goals in the final four games of the Premiership campaign to help steer Derek McInnes’ side to safety. And after signing a new two-year deal in Ayrshire, Vassell has his sights set on impressing McInnes to help reignite his international dream under O’Neill. The former San Diego Loyal hitman said: “You suspect it is gone, but that’s where your inner drive comes from and your ambition.

“I never let go of it. Never gave up and thought that’s it. Even when I went to America, I went to that league because I wanted to play in the MLS. If I’d done that, I’d definitely have got back in the squad. Now I’m in the SPFL, that is going to help me.

“I thought it would be difficult because there are some really good young players coming through, but I always knew if I am doing the right things at the right time then sometimes it is impossible not to bring players back. The