Ross County manager Malky Mackay says if James Brown continues to play for the club this season as he did against Celtic, he will be knocking on the door for a place in Stephen Kenny's Ireland squad.
Brown joined the Scottish Premiership side on a two-year deal from Blackburn Rovers last month. He had spent 18 months at the club, making one appearance. He also had loan spells at Stockport and Doncaster last season.
Brown, who moved to England from Drogheda, has enjoyed a good start to his time in Scotland. He scored a consolation goal for Ross County against Celtic at the weekend, as his side lost 4-2 at Parkhead, adding to one he got in the League Cup.
19 November 2021; James Brown of Drogheda United in action against Joey O'Brien of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
"I thought James Brown, my right-back, was sensational on Saturday," Mackay told the Press and Journal.
"We brought him from Blackburn and my challenge to him was to get into the Republic of Ireland team.
"He was captain of Drogheda and he went to Blackburn. I said to him to come up here and play in the Premiership and play against the best there is here.
"Jamie McGrath did it last year and got into the Republic of Ireland team.
"If James plays like that week in week out, he’ll be chapping on the door.
"I’m not trying to pick anybody’s team – but he’ll be a good player if he keeps playing like that.
"I thought he was sensational against a really good player in Daizen Maeda."
Upon signing Brown, Mackay said the club had been "monitoring him for some time, both in Ireland and in the English leagues".
🍀 Here are all six goals from Celtic Park as Brendan Rodgers' side kicked off their title defence with a 4-2 win over Ross County! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vQuWXul30i
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 5, 2023
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