Sammie Szmodics savours Ireland debut years in the making

Sammie Szmodics said his Republic of Ireland debut was years in the making as he savoured an impressive first outing with the Boys in Green.

The Blackburn Rovers man shone in a nil-all draw against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium, linking up effectively with Evan Ferguson and Chiedozie Ogbene throughout.

Szmodics has had to bide his time to get a first taste of international football. Now 28, the Hungary-eligible attacker hovered around a couple of squad's during Stephen Kenny's time in charge without getting capped.

Now, he's eyeing more outings for Ireland, who next face Switzerland in Dublin on Tuesday,

"Yeah it was a massive, proud moment for me and my family," Szmodics told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue.

"My family were there. It's been a long time coming, a number of years. To finally put on the green jersey and play at the Aviva Stadium was unbelievable for me.

"I was ready three or four years ago for it. Things have happened. To finally make it, have a debut here against a good Belgium team with my family in the crowd, I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Ireland's best chance fell to Evan Ferguson, who missed a first-half spot-kick after Arthur Vermeeren was penalised for handball.

It was a disappointing moment for the 19-year-old, but Szmodics has no doubt he'll shrug it off.

"I've missed penalties this season, it's how you bounce back," he said.

"Ev is a confident guy, a young lad that scores goals. I thought he was brilliant. That penalty miss will be nothing for him. I'm sure if we get one Tuesday and he's playing he'll step up again and he'll slot it."

Overall Ireland came away from Saturday's contest with plenty of positives banked.

O'Shea, along with his backroom team of Brian Kerr, Paddy McCarthy and Glenn Whelan,