Gavin Molloy wants to be next Liam Scales as new Aberdeen FC signing eyes up Celtic star's path to Ireland call

Gavin Molloy wants to take the Liam Scales approach and use Aberdeen as a springboard into the Republic of Ireland squad, writes Scott Burns from Portugal.

The left-sided defender is one of Aberdeen’s new arrivals, when they triggered a release clause to sign him from Shelbourne last month. The 22-year-old has never played for his country but has a burning ambition and knows Aberdeen can help him achieve that goal. He points to the loan spell that Scales had at Aberdeen that got him into the Ireland squad and now he is a regular at Celtic. The Dons can also boast current Irish midfielder Jamie McGrath.

There also looks to be a new dawn across the water with Ireland set to appoint a new manager, with John O’Shea currently in charge. Molloy predicted: “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.

“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.”

The 22-year-old has watched as many of his peers have pulled on the green jersey and he is keen to join the likes of former Celtic favourite Adam Idah, Nathan Collins and Jason Knight.

He confirmed: “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. “It was in the regional set-ups.”

Molloy in signing for Aberdeen upset one of Ireland’s favourite sons in Damien Duff. The frustrated Shelbourne manager went public on the release clause when he lost the defender. Molloy, however, admitted he owes him a debt for giving him a chance. Him and his assistant Joey O’Brien have been massive in Molloy’s development.

Hesaid: “I have no bad words from my old manager. “I have such high praise for him and I owe him. “He gave a lot to me. “He gave me my chance in first-team football and I never looked back. “I can only say thanks. “He has been huge and has been a massive influence along with my old coach Joey O’Brien. “Joey was a central defender and full-back in the Premier League. “The detail he shows has made me such a better player. “I learned so much from him and that coaching staff.”

It has always been an ambition for Molloy to come across the water and so when Thelin came calling he just couldn’t turn him down. He admitted: “The club got in contact and I was very, very keen. I wanted to come here because it is such a massive club with great fans. “The club has high ambitions and I wanted to be a part of it right away. It was a difficult decision and one I felt I had to make. It is my career and this was the next stage and the chance to showcase my talents on a bigger stage.”

The good thing for Molloy is that he has had no lay-off and is straight into things. He played for Shelbourne on the Thursday and signed for Aberdeen the next day. It means that he isn’t having to play catch-up in pre-season in their Portugal training camp. The Dons players are being worked hard as Thelin has laid down his blueprint in how his team wants to kick off next season.

The Irishman admitted: “I played on the Thursday and moved the next day. “I got a week off. It is fine. I am a young boy.

“Things have been good. “I have really enjoyed it. “The manager is implementing his styles and it is reflecting from it. “We are learning from it and enjoying it. “These weeks are crucial and make people. “If I was to miss it then I would be gutted. “There is a lot of team bonding, you are with the coaches and you get to know people as human beings rather than players.”

The move is a step up for Molloy but he is in no doubt it is one he can take. “I believe in my ability,” the new arrival insisted. “I think we will be a robust team who is hard to beat. I can help with that and we will also try and play football as well. My ball-playing skills can help, bringing the ball out from the back.”

He will also be looking his career doesn’t look back for club or country