Reid happy in the Forest

Reid is currently the hottest property outside top flight in England and has been watched closely by several top clubs while he has been a mainstay in the Republic of Ireland side since making his debut against Canada last November.

The 23-year-old is hoping to keep his place for the World Cup qualifiers and is hoping that he can prove he is worth a place with some sparkling displays at Forest in the coming months.

"I am a Nottingham Forest player and want to do well for the club and get them into the Premiership," he told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"I have come back to pre-season; I am getting on great with the lads and firmly believe that we are putting a good squad together. I always tell my agent that I don't want to know about anything until something is sorted out."

Having scored 13 goals from midfield last season, a lot is expected of the Dubliner this season though he has no problems with taking on added responsibility.

"What I am concerned about is living up to my own expectations and I know, if I achieve that, it would keep everybody happy. I'm not concerned about anybody else. I think the manager, the international manager, the club and the fans will be more than pleased if I live up to that.

"I will be the first to come out and say if I haven't. I'm feeling very fit and I am enjoying giving that a boost. It's great to get back playing again and I'm looking forward to the season but we have got everything to do if we are going to get into the Premiership.

"I scored 13 goals last season but then I think why can't I score 18? Why can't I score more with my head or with my right foot? How can I improve my passing?

"It doesn't matter how well you play, you have got something to live up to and you just try to improve yourself."

And Reid insists that being part of the Ireland squad has accelerated his development.
"Now I'm in the squad, you know you have to improve because you are playing with world-class players like Roy Keane, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.

"If your touch is not up to speed, you are going to be found out but training and playing with them makes you want to be as good as they are because you see what they do, how hard they work and it's an inspiration."

Tipped for stardom at an early age, Reid was part of the Republic of Ireland Under 16 side that won the European Championships in 1998 despite still being eligible for Under 15 level.

The following year, he was part of the Under 18 squad that finished third in the European Championships, but his rapid progress stalled shortly afterwards.
However, having recovered from fitness problems, he produced some fine performances for the Under 21s as well as his club earning him a call-up to the senior panel and a man of the match debut against Canada.

Since then, he has kept his place in the side and is determined to help Ireland to the 2006 World Cup.