Lions defender backed to win senior international honours if he continues repeating attacking numbers

Millwall manager Gary Rowett believes Danny McNamara is unfortunate not to have had a full call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

The Lions’ right-sided defender has been capped at U21 level and has spoken previously of his desire to win senior international honours.

McNamara, 23, scored two goals and claimed two assists in 36 Championship appearances in the 2021-22 season.

And he was first choice on the right of the Millwall backline after the 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth on November 24, starting all of their remaining league fixtures.

McNamara is on 54 appearances for the Lions and has previously gained experience on loan at St Johnstone, Dover Athletic, Newport County and Havant & Waterlooville.

Asked what more the Millwall academy product needs to do to crack Ireland’s full international set-up, Rowett told the South London Press: “Just keep doing what he’s doing. He’s very unfortunate, in the position that he’s playing in, that there are two or three very, very good players. There is Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie and Matt Doherty. They are all in a similar position to Danny and are playing at similar or higher levels – or with more experience.

“Of course in this day and age you need to be able to add those attacking numbers which Danny really, really started to do later in the season – which was really positive for the start of next season. If he continues to do that then at some point it is impossible not to get picked by the national team.

“My belief is that he should have been but I’m not the manager. It’s important he keeps doing the right things to make sure that when one or two of those players maybe start to not be the right option for their national team then Danny has got to be in the next wave of players coming through.”