Shaun Williams hopes he could one day be rewarded with a place in the Ireland squad if he continues to impress for Millwall

Lions boss Ian Holloway has tipped the midfielder, as well as captain Alan Dunne, to be called up by Republic manager Martin O’Neill, who watched last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

David Forde already is Ireland’s number one stopper, although Williams insisted he won’t be asking him to have a quiet word with O’Neill.

 “It’s his (O’Neill’s) decision, I won’t be nudging people to try and get myself into the squad,” said the 27-year-old.

“Hopefully I can get in, though, if I stay in the team, play well and the team is doing well.

“It would be a dream come true to represent my country.

“Club comes first and if I’m doing well for Millwall, then it’s all well and good if I get selected.

“If not, then it is no different from the rest of my career so far. If I am doing well then hopefully the opportunity will arise.

“And if not then I just need to keep doing the right things for Millwall.”

Saturday saw the Lions lose for the first time in 13 Championship outings as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Rotherham.

And Williams, who signed in January from MK Dons, believes a lack of creation cost his side - but has backed them to bounce back next weekend.

He said: “All runs must come to an end at some stage, but to lose it against Rotherham at home is a bit of a shock for us and disappointing all the same.

“It was the old cliché – we could still be there now and not score.

“We played quite well, defended well, but we didn’t create enough chances.

“Coming from the end of last year when we played a lot of big names and beat them, it was the lesser teams that we tended to struggle against.

“Every game is different, you play different tactics against different teams and it just wasn’t to be on Saturday.

“We were always eventually going to lose one, but it is just unfortunate how that took place.

“We need to knuckle down for next Saturday against Blackpool.”

Before taking on the Tangerines, Millwall host Southampton in the second round of the League Cup.

Holloway has hinted he could rest players for the game, but Williams is hoping to be in action once again.

He said: “Everyone is looking to get as many minutes under their belts as possible and to get back into the pattern of Saturday-Tuesday, which is quite a tough routine.

“It’ll be a chance for us to test ourselves against Premier League opposition and another opportunity for the gaffer to make changes and give people that haven’t been playing some minutes.”

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