Mark Sykes has expressed his pride in making his first appearance for the Republic of Ireland nine days ago.
The Bristol City star donned the jersey for the first time since switching allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic a couple of years ago. By winning his first cap, Sykes made history by becoming the first Belfast born player to feature for the Boys in Green since just after the Second World War.
Sykes was fully aware of the backlash he might receive before he made the switch. However, his decision was justified when he was sprung from the bench by Stephen Kenny to win his first cap against Malta last week.
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Speaking of the milestone in his career, he told the BBC : "It was a friendly against Malta, but for me, it was one of the biggest games in the world. I didn't overthink it.
"I trained hard and felt my chance was going to come and thankfully it did. It meant everything to finally get on the pitch.
"I was a little bit down not to play in the Norway game, but you always have to believe the next game will provide the opportunity."
Bristol Live reports that Sykes represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level and was called up to the senior squad on three separate occasions but failed to earn pitch time under former boss Michael O'Neill. He came through the youth ranks at Northern Irish side Glenavon, around a 30-minute drive from Belfast, where he remained for six years before joining Oxford in 2019.
"When Stephen Kenny first gave me the call it was a no-brainer. It was maybe a risk in terms of game time, but not a risk in terms of what I wanted to do," he added.
"When I was growing up there was never anything for me to be part of regarding the Republic of Ireland. Our family didn't have a lot of money, they couldn't drive me back and forward to Dublin or wherever a soccer school was set up.
"When you're young the nationality side of things doesn't come into it as much, but when you're older you realise 'maybe that is the thing for me'.
"I loved my time as part of the Northern Ireland set-up, I'd never say anything bad about it. I didn't play any senior games unfortunately but in a way that benefitted me as I was able to become a Republic of Ireland player.
"I came off social media as I don't need to see the negativity and focused on my football. Thankfully I got my move to the Championship in the summer so things have been going well for me.
"To be in the squad for the next camp and play well for Bristol City are my aims but it's down to me. If you do well on the pitch you'll be successful."
Sykes and the rest of his City team-mates will return to training today ahead of the return to Championship action on December 10 with a trip to Rotherham. The Robins will play Southampton at the High Performance Centre a week before league action.
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