AN ALBION star has not given up hope of playing for the Republic of Ireland at a European Championship finals on home soil.

An official bid to host Euro 2028 by the United Kingdom and Ireland means that Shane Duffy may yet have a chance of playing at a major tournament in his home nation after missing out on doing so at the 2020 finals, when Ireland failed to qualify.

The Brighton and Hove Albion defender will be 36 when 2028 comes around, and while he admits he doesn’t know what will happen between now and then, he is hoping he is still on the scene.

“In football we’re not naive, especially with the younger ones coming through,” he said.

“I don’t know how it will go. Age is just a number – if I am feeling fit - I saw John O’Shea and Robbie Keane play at the ages they were.

“Every chance is big to play for your country at major tournaments. It would be daft to say, ‘No, I wouldn’t want to be a part of it.’ It’s about me keeping myself right – but I don’t know where I’ll be when I am 36. You just made me feel old, cheers for that.

“But you never say never. I’ve seen players play until they are 36, 37, 38, 40. If I am still at a good level and playing well, you never know. But I don’t have a crystal ball.”

In the shorter term, Ireland concentrate on their forthcoming Nations League and Euro 2024 campaigns, preparations for which start this week with Saturday’s friendly against Belgium.

Stephen Kenny’s side missed out on qualification for this winter’s World Cup finals, but with a team based on a mix of youth and experience, Duffy is confident better fortunes lie ahead.

Asked what would represent success, he said: “I think we can go well in the Nations League. I think we can win the group – and that’s not me speaking ahead of ourselves.

“The way we are going and the belief that we have, I think we can go win it. I think that would be a successful start, and go on from there.

“For me, that is what we have to start believing and aiming for as a country – that we can win groups and qualify for tournaments.

“And why not? You can see the progression we are making now. When we had a difficult start, we always said the young players would benefit from that and we are seeing that now. We are picking up results.

“Hopefully we can win the Nations League and have a good qualification campaign and set the standard for ourselves and give the whole nation a buzz.”