Aiden McGeady looks likely to start for the Republic in Slovakia

Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
Bratislava
Saturday, 8 September
Kick-off: 1930 BST
Coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website.

Celtic's Aiden McGeady has said that his improved workrate is the reason for his emergence as a key Republic of Ireland player.

McGeady starred in last month's 4-0 friendly win in Denmark and he looks likely to start in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Slovakia.

"When I was younger I was a lazier player. A lot of what people said went in one ear and out the other," he said.

"I'm a different player now and the main part of my game is working back."

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Increasing maturity has told McGeady of the need to embrace the team ethic, both for Celtic and the Republic.

"A lot of it is to do with your state of mind and it comes down to whether you can be bothered or not.

"As you get older you realise you can't really do that any more and that the manager is right."

We lost 5-0 and I missed a sitter Aiden McGeady on his last match in Slovakia

McGeady's precocious talent earned him an adidas boot deal at the age of 13 and the interest of a number of big English Premier League clubs before he committed himself to Celtic one year later.

He initially mocked suggestions that he temper his dazzling wide play with an unselfish streak.

Now 20, the success of McGeady's steep learning curve is evident in both his club form for the Hoops and the increasing influence he is having on Steve Staunton's team.

However, McGeady does not have fond memories of Slovakia.

Two years ago he was part of the Celtic team thrashed 5-0 by Artmedia Bratislava in a Champions League qualifier.

Reminded of it, that spiky youthfulness quickly re-emerges.

"You know what happened then and that is why you're asking me about it," McGeady bristled.

My main goal is to stay on the touchline and get balls into the box Aiden McGeady

"We lost 5-0 and I missed a sitter. But it was just one of those nights."

In Aarhus he seized his chance to impress Republic boss Staunton, who employed a largely experimental midfield in the absence of the likes of Lee Carsley and Kevin Kilbane.

"I'm starting games now and that is giving me a lot more confidence. I am hopeful that I am going to play in the next game too."

Gone are the days when McGeady would not contemplate any tactic which might impinge on his flowing wing play.

Now he is only too happy to represent his country in whatever position Staunton sees fit.

"He is telling me to play as an orthodox winger which is slightly different to how I play at Celtic," added McGeady.