St Johnstone defender Dan Cleary focused on top club form to bolster Ireland call-up chance

St Johnstone centre-half Dan Cleary admits it would be a dream come true to pull on the Ireland jersey.

The 26-year-old represented his country through the youth age groups but has never made the senior step.

He is determined to come into the reckoning for a future call-up but understands that to increase his chances he must be performing at optimum level in Perth on a weekly basis.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little lad,” said Cleary, who has adapted well to life at McDiarmid Park.

“All I can do is concentrate on my club football, hopefully play week in and week out and do well. We’ll see where that takes me.

“It goes without saying that the better I do here, the better my chance of getting involved at international level.

“Stephen Kenny’s doing a great job with the Ireland team and I had him as a manager before.

“It’s definitely a dream of mine. It would be a massive achievement and a dream come true if I was ever selected for the national team.

“That comes down to my performances here and how well I am doing at club level.”

Cleary’s passion to help gather Saints more points has been consistent, although operating at the bottom of a league is unfamiliar territory. At his previous club, Dundalk, the focus was up the other end.

He said: “At Dundalk, I was always at the other end of the table pushing for the league, cups and Champions League qualification.

“At this end, there is a lot more pressure.

“I am learning how you deal mentally with things at the other end of the table. I am always learning.

“I love a challenge and never shy away from it.

“That is why I signed here and I knew what I was coming into before I came in January.

“I am ready to fight until the end. Hard work is what I am based on.

“Talent