Former Shelbourne star Gavin Molloy hopes the similarities with Liam Scales don’t end at their respective transfers from the League of Ireland to the Scottish Premiership.
He wants to use his summer move from Tolka Park to Aberdeen as an opportunity to stake his claim for senior Ireland recognition.
Molloy (22) is in Portugal with the Dons - and with Boys in Green star Jamie McGrath - for pre-season training.
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And he has already taken note of the fact that ex-Shamrock Rovers man Scales used the club, during his loan spell from Celtic, as a stepping stone towards an Ireland call.
Molloy told the Daily Record: “Yes, I think it will improve my international chances.
“Look at Liam Scales. He came over to Scotland and got his opportunity in the national team. I feel I can get there. I have confidence and trust in myself. That is the place I want to go to get into the Ireland team.
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“It is great to have another Irishman here in Jamie McGrath. He came back late from his extended holiday. It is good to have Jamie here. He is a great lad and a great player.
“I have never played for Ireland at any level. I have never come close. That drives me. I just kept going about my business.
“Other people got called up but I never did. I just kept at it. I know where I want to go and I know I am capable. I have no bad blood, I am just continuing to work hard.”
Molloy wouldn’t have any difficulty settling into the Irish set-up were the call to come.
“Nathan Collins, Adam Idah and Jason Knight were all in my age group. I played against all of them when I was young in emerging talent groups,” he said.
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