Pearce still holds Ireland ambitions

Reading defender Alex Pearce still holds hope of playing for the Republic of Ireland, hoping that playing Premier League football will put him more on the radar.

The 23-year old was voted Reading’s Player of the Season and has gained many admirers for his superb defensive qualities. The former Southampton loanee played every single minute for the Royals in their Championship winning campaign, keeping 20 cleansheets and playing a part in the best defense record in the nPower Championship.

Pearce told the Evening Herald that: ‘I played every game in the league but all I did was play a part in what the team achieved. We have a great ethic in the squad, no big-timers, we had a few days away together in Marbella last week as a reward for winning promotion and we all get on so well.’

‘There’s a huge Irish connection with the club. I know all about the Irish scene from speaking to Hartey and Hunty, and the gaffer often talks about his connection with Ireland. We had no real stars at Reading last season when we won the league, it was just a team effort.’

‘Going back further you had Kevin Doyle and Shane Long here, Ireland means a lot to the club and I’d love to be part of that,’ added Pearce, who was delighted to play a role for Reading last season, as he even shrugged off his honour of being the club’s player of the year.’

As Pearce mentioned, there are other Reading players vowing for a place in Trapattoni’s side, despite not being selected for Euro 2012. Defender Ian Harte still remains an option in defence, while striker Noel Hunt is keen to still play his part for hisn country, having already appeared for them three times.