Hull City's loan star Anthony Gerrard is hoping to win a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.
Defender keen to win international honours
Hull City's loan star Anthony Gerrard has revealed he is hoping to win a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.
The Liverpool-born defender has represented the Republic at Under 18 level having qualified to play for the country because of his grandmother.
Gerrard, who is the cousin of Liverpool skipper and England vice-captain Steven Gerrard, decided to pledge his allegiance to the Republic ahead of England when he was at Everton.
The 25-year-old has been in outstanding form for Hull this season with the central defender being a virtual ever-present in Nigel Pearson's side.
Gerrard has been establishing a reputation for himself as one of the best defenders outside the Premier League with a number of top-flight clubs thought to be eyeing a move for the player this summer.
The former Everton youngster is now hoping his form is not going unnoticed by the Ireland coaching team as he feels he is ready to make the step up to the international scene.
"Every player wants to play at international level and I am no different," Gerrard told
skysports.com.
"A lot of people probably don't know that I am eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland having played for them at Under 18 level.
"I pledged my allegiance to the Republic and I would love the chance to play for the senior squad.
"I have yet to receive a call-up to the senior squad, but I hope my recent performances are being noted by people in the coaching staff.
"I will just keep my head down and carry on working well and hope that Mr Trappatoni and his coaching staff will give me the opportunity to play for the Republic in the future."
Future
Gerrard, who has been linked with a possible move this summer, admits he is unsure where his future lies.
"Obviously I am on loan at Hull from Cardiff and I am still a Cardiff player until I am told otherwise," he added.
"I am delighted at how the season has gone so far with Hull and I feel I am playing some of the best football of my career.
"We have been doing well recently in climbing up the table and we are pushing for the play-offs.
"It has always been my ultimate aim since I left Everton to get back to the top and I feel I am capable of doing that.
"I went to Walsall after Everton and I helped them win promotion and then I went to Cardiff and I was a mainstay of the team that reached the play-off final last season.
"For whatever reason I was not in Cardiff's plans this season and I was allowed to go out on loan to Hull.
"Like any player I want to be playing at the highest level and if I can do that with Cardiff next season or Hull I would be delighted."
