Gavin Bazunu has called on the young players in the Ireland squad to assume senior status and start getting results with the national team.
"Young players with a lot of potential" was the phrase referenced by the Ireland goalkeeper in relation to the growing group of squad members who have gained considerable experience at international level since Stephen Kenny took over the role back in 2020.
And while the players in question are all at the start of their careers and still in their early 20s, the Ireland number one has issued a rallying call to his team-mates to stand up and be counted.
A transitional period in Irish football has seen the manager totally transform the look and age profile of the squad, and while many of the performances have been admirable, the required results have not been forthcoming.
The current campaign has all but run its course, however, with the prospect of a home-based European championships in 2028, Bazunu believes that now is the time to start winning games.
"I think we have a great squad," said Bazunu, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday.
"We've been called 'young players with a lot of potential’, but I think it is now time for us to step up as a group, to build this really good culture within the squad and start putting in high class performances and getting results.
"I think it’s been mentioned in the group that we have a lot of the senior players who are not in the squad so it’s time for a lot of the younger lads, you know we call them young lads, but a lot of us have a lot of experience playing at international and club level, so it’s time for us to step up and take that role."
Bazunu puts himself front and centre of that particular battle cry, and while he has firmly established himself as the Ireland number one over the past three years, under intense and quality competition from Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers, he puts pressure on himself to continue to perform every day in training and in matches to maintain that level and hold onto the jersey.
"Every time I step on the pitch, I’m fighting for my place, whether that’s for my club or my country," said Bazunu. "Never sitting anywhere secure of any position, I know every day I feel like I am fighting for my place."
The former Shamrock Rovers keeper also spoke about the increasing mental challenges that young footballers are facing, coming under intense scrutiny from the traditional avenues of the terraces and the tabloids, coupled with social media pressure that has put every move and mistake in the spotlight.
Still only 21, Bazunu credits his early introduction into senior football as one of the main reasons why he has been able to handle the ups and downs as life as a professional footballer, and as a goalkeeper.
"It’s part of the game," said Bazunu, when asked how he copes with the pressure following a big defeat.
"Playing first team football since the age of 16 has led me to a lot of exposure. I’ve got a lot of experiences in terms of blocking out things and being resilient. I don’t feel I’d be anywhere near the level I am now without that mental strength.
"As a goalkeeper especially, the scrutiny is so heavy at the top level and for me, I just listen to the people who I know are going to make me better. "
"It can be difficult because of the reach of social media these days, sometimes it’s impossible to stay away from it. You don’t want to have a complete blackout because then you never learn to take it on and be able to almost block it out.
"I think young players now have to work, not just on your technique and your tactics, it’s the mental side of the game that’s a massive part if a player is performing consistently at a high level.
"Every player you see out here performing at a high level has different mental tactics and mental fortitude to work against blocking those things out.
"Finding that balance is a massive part of it because at the end of the day we’re footballers but we’re all human beings and you have to be able to live your life outside of football.
"I do have someone I work with both in and outside of the club and a lot of people around me in my circle who I listen to a lot and they are the ones who keep me strong."
Looking ahead to the upcoming double header against Greece on Friday, followed by Monday’s match against Gibraltar in Faro, Bazunu believes that the squad unity is key to finally getting a run of wins in an attempt to finish off the campaign on a positive note.
"I think there has never been a sense of anyone working off their own hymn sheet," said the Firhouse man, giving the manager credit for creating that atmosphere.
"We’ve always been together as a team, and we’ve always been a really strong group. Every player on the pitch, every player on the bench, every player in the squad has always been working in the same direction."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
