Keith Gillespie hopes his shock move to Glentoran could help earn him a recall to Northern Ireland duty
Keith Gillespie wants to impress for Glentoran and give Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington "no option" but to recall the veteran winger.
Worthington hinted last week that Gillespie's move to the Irish League would not enhance his chances of a return to the international stage.
But Gillespie spoke of his renewed international ambitions as he was unveiled by Glentoran on Tuesday.
"Nigel has been picking Irish League players lately," added Gillespie.
"I'm hoping (to get a recall) but it's out of my hands.
"If I'm out there and performing to a good standard as well as I can, hopefully I might not give him (Nigel Worthington) a chance but to pick me but that's up to him.
"First and foremost, I want to do well for Glentoran. If international honours come my way, then so be it."
Gillespie revealed that a possible move to the Oval outfit had been first mooted "a couple of weeks ago".
"My agent was speaking to Alan McDonald whom he happened to know when Alan was a QPR.
I've played at some great clubs and I'm coming to another
Keith Gillespie
"Talks just went from there and the negotiations were very quick".
The deal was sealed when one of Glentoran's main sponsors made the cash available to pay Gillespie's wages.
Gillespie, who has won 86 international caps, was with Bradford City last season but failed to win a contract with the League Two club.
The signing is a huge coup for east Belfast club Glentoran who pipped Linfield to the Premiership crown by a point last May.
Gillespie added that his move to the Oval represented a "new chapter" in a career which has seen the player have spells at several big clubs including Manchester United and Newcastle.
"I'm really looking forward to it. The Irish League has progressed over the last few years and it has been getting better and better.
"It's something that I was really keen to do and try and give something back to the football here.
"Football has been very kind to me over the years. I've played at some great clubs and I'm coming to another, steeped in tradition and history.
"Hopefully, Alan (McDonald) maybe has set the trend for players who are coming to the end of their careers in England to come back here and play."
Gillespie acknowledged that his moved is also aimed at raising the profile of the East Belfast club.
"I'm hoping to be part of that. The more I can do for the club, the better."
Gillespie began his career in England as a teenager with Manchester United where he was in the same FA Youth Cup-winning team as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
But he is best known for his spells with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, as well as his performances for Northern Ireland with whom he was a definite fans' favourite.
Gillespie also had periods with Leicester City and Sheffield United, plus loans spells with Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?