Dad's wise words keep Matt on track

Matt Doherty will pick himself up off the international canvas - thanks to a few words of wisdom from his father, Tom.

The defender played in all three of the Republic of Ireland’s matches against Slovakia, Wales and Finland over the last week, and had to swallow the bitterest pill of missing a penalty in ROI’s shoot-out loss to Slovakia in the play-off semi-finals in qualification for the European Championship Finals.

That was a tough one for Matt and the ROI, as few would argue they deserved to win the game in the 120 minutes, but it stayed goalless in Bratislava.

It was a similar story against Wales and Finland in the UEFA Nations League, but the 0-0 draw in Dublin and 1-0 loss in Helsinki means ROI are now looking over their shoulders at Bulgaria rather than up at the top of League B, Group 4.

“It has been tough, a bit disheartening,” conceded Matt as he arrived back at Hotspur Way on Thursday. “But I was just on the phone to John Ruddy (former team-mate at Wolves), and saying how lucky I am... I love driving into work and coming here.

“Some of the boys on international duty were saying how lucky I am to be able to come into Tottenham. My dad said the same. After the game against Finland, he just said to be happy in my life, and just because I’m disappointed with how the internationals have gone, realise how blessed I am to be in the situation I’m in, which of course I am.

“You have to get back into your work, and we now have games Sunday, Thursday, Monday, and it’s non-stop, so don’t stop, keep going, keep your head up, and make sure confidence stays high. West Ham are in good form, but no game is easy, is it?

“The team is in a very good place on the pitch, at the training ground, in the dressing room, the atmosphere is really special at the moment.”