'I was wanted here' - McAteer on picking ROI over NI

Kasey McAteer says nan Republic of Ireland was "the spot for me" aft turning down nan chance to play for Northern Ireland.

The England-born Leicester City midfielder received his first Republic call-up for nan Nations League games against England and Greece.

McAteer qualifies for nan Republic of Ireland done a grandma from Offaly while his grandfather hailed from Belfast, meaning he could person opted for Northern Ireland.

The 22-year-old was approached by nan Irish Football Association [IFA] and Football Association of Ireland [FAI] earlier deciding to correspond nan Republic of Ireland.

"There were a fewer conversations pinch Northern Ireland but not arsenic overmuch arsenic I had pinch nan Republic - I felt that present was nan spot for maine and that I was really wanted here," said McAteer.

"As a young boy I didn't really deliberation astir it but nan much you turn up you study astir your family heritage, astir what it would mean for maine and my family to play for Ireland, that it would beryllium a monolithic thing."

McAteer, who will person 7 members of his family travelling complete for nan Dublin crippled against England, admits that he was tempted by nan chance to play world shot for Northern Ireland.

"It was decidedly a anticipation - erstwhile I first heard astir it was a large infinitesimal that a large state had travel successful for me," he added.

"But erstwhile I started speaking to nan Republic location was besides a batch of liking shown and it was an ongoing point pinch telephone calls, email etc. That's erstwhile I wanted to return it further forward, getting my passport, my Irish citizenship.

"So I'm gladsome I've sewage that done and that's what brings maine present and hopefully I tin do my champion for my country."

McAteer could make his Republic debut connected nan aforesaid nighttime Heimir Hallgrimsson takes complaint of nan squad for nan first time.

The erstwhile Iceland leader was appointed in July and is already making an effect connected nan players successful mentation for nan double-header.

"It's been very bully - I've only been training a mates of days and having squad meetings pinch him and his staff," said McAteer.

"There's a clear imagination for nan squad but he doesn't springiness excessively overmuch away. It's been bully to get to cognize his caller ways and nan boys look to beryllium buying into that truthful we tin return that forward."

The Aviva Stadium opener against nan Euro 2024 finalists is followed by different location crippled pinch Greece adjacent Wednesday.

"We're coming up against a world people broadside successful England and we've sewage to person our ain crippled scheme and building to nullify what they person and what they bring to us.

"We've sewage to judge that what we do is correct - hopefully we tin present our game-plan and get nan triumph that we're each moving truthful difficult for."