Ross County defender James Brown has been challenged to force his way into the Republic of Ireland squad.
Right-back Brown is among eight summer signings at Victoria Park, having joined on a two-year deal from English Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
He made just one appearance in 18 months at Ewood Park, spending last season on loan at Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers.
His move to England came around in January 2022, having broken through at Shelbourne before going on to captain Drogheda United to the League of Ireland First Division title in 2020.
The 25-year-old has made a bright start to his County career with two goals in his opening five matches, including a late strike in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Celtic at Parkhead.
Staggies boss Malky Mackay believes there is no reason why Brown should not target a place in Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad, who are currently third in European Championship qualification Group B.
Mackay said: “I thought James Brown, my right-back, was sensational on Saturday.
“We brought him from Blackburn and my challenge to him was to get into the Republic of Ireland team.
“He was captain of Drogheda and he went to Blackburn. I said to him to come up here and play in the Premiership and play against the best there is here.
“Jamie McGrath did it last year and got into the Republic of Ireland team.
“If James plays like that week in week out, he’ll be chapping on the door.
“I’m not trying to pick anybody’s team – but he’ll be a good player if he keeps playing like that.
“I thought he was sensational against a really good player in Daizen Maeda.”
County’s style was effective against Hoops
Mackay felt his side struck up an effective balance between negating Celtic’s threat and posing a goal threat against the champions.
He added: “It was to make sure that when we did get balls into the area we won first balls, second balls and then got it into areas where we knew they didn’t have any players.
“Everyone’s got to do their work.
“You either play against the Old Firm and you play with 11 men camped 25 or 30 yards from your goals. But that’s just waiting for the inevitable to happen.
“Or, you play to a certain style, system and you make sure that the areas can be covered and tactically you can have players in a position that you think can negate Celtic’s pattern of play.
“At that point you’ve got to expose the little areas that you think you can.
“That’s the fourth game from the last five we’ve scored against them, so we’ve done some of that although I’m also frustrated with some of it.”
Staggies boss hoping for clinical edge against Saints
Although County netted twice against Brendan Rodgers’ side, Mackay felt a lack of clinical finishing cost his side during their dominant spell early in the game.
The Staggies will be aiming to get their first points of the season on board when they host St Johnstone on Saturday.
Mackay added: “A couple of times with a calmer head we could’ve had a couple of more concise passes to get us into positions.
“But even then, in the first 15 minutes we had two maybe three opportunities which we should’ve been more clinical with.
“We’ll have easier chances than that in the season and we’ll probably score.
“But you have to be clinical against Celtic when you get your chances. That’s where at times Premiership teams fail and international teams don’t.”
Conversation