Be the best, Wolves boss Kenny Jackett challenges Matt Doherty after Ireland call-up
Wolves defender Matt Doherty has been challenged to use his debut Ireland call-up as motivation to become one of the best full-backs in the Championship.
The 24-year-old, a revelation at left-back, joins up with Martin O'Neill's squad after today's visit to table-toppers Burnley.
He will be part of a provisional 40-man squad which will be reduced ahead of Dublin friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia on Friday and Tuesday.
And whether he makes the final cut or not, Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has called on Doherty to continue to improve.
"I want it to be an incentive for him to improve and get better and try and be a top player and a top full-back in the division," Jackett said.
"I've talked a lot about our players who are 22, 23, 24 years old now coming into their time.
"They have to impose themselves. And Matt is one of them.
"I'm delighted for him and getting into the Ireland squad is a very good incentive for him to be disciplined, knuckle down, build on what he's done and try to improve again."
Doherty will be looking to gatecrash Ireland's squad for this summer European Championships in France.
Jackett feels Doherty's attitude, rather than him being more comfortable at left-back, is behind his recent form.
"The Euros is a big incentive," the Wolves head coach added. "He should be thinking and dreaming along those lines.
"It's a great one to be able to go for and it's very good for Wolves.
"It's about his attitude, and him being ready and his time, more than the position.
"He hopefully now seizes the opportunity and goes on to be a first-team regular and a force in the Championship – that's what we're looking for.
"He feels he can attack better from the left than the right because he has more options, and he's worked out a way of doing it.
"And he's not poor defensively either."
