Stephen Ward, the in-form Bohemians striker, admits a move to England would be a dream come true but he is playing down suggestions of following in Kevin Doyle’s footsteps any time soon.
The 20-year-old continues to go from strength to strength ahead of the new league season and scored the only goal in last night’s under-21 international win over Sweden in Drogheda.
Indeed, Ward’s goal was his third in as many games for Don Givens’s side and it was those other strikes of his that helped the side win the recent Madeira tournament.
"That tournament did my confidence the world of good," Ward admits.
"I just wanted to go over there, play well and score a few and obviously by winning it you come back on a high. I think my football has improved and I’m playing full of confidence."
Despite not seeing as much action as perhaps he would have liked last night, Ward was still a key figure in the new three-man attack.
The young Dubliner might not have been aware of Ipswich boss Joe Royle’s presence in the crowd but the extra pep he is now playing with reflected in his performance nonetheless.
"You always want to go where you can challenge yourself," he said of a potential move to an English club.
"England is as good as it gets and I’d love to go over and try it but I’m under contract with Bohemians for another two years and I’m looking forward to the start of the season and getting down to business.
"Kevin Doyle has been an inspiration to everyone in this league. By getting into the Irish senior squad he has shown everyone here what’s possible. He gives everyone hope."
Givens raved during the week about Ward’s performances in Madeira and also pin-pointed the striker’s improved strength and presence as a leading factor behind the team’s recent success.
"Over the eight weeks (out of season) I was in the gym nearly every day doing weights," Ward says. "I didn’t focus too much on fitness, I was more concentrating on bulking up.
"Playing in the eircom League you don’t really get too much time on the ball and I think I did need to bulk up. I feel it will help me as a player."
Givens believes Bohemians might have a struggle on their hands holding onto Ward considering his current form.
"He has certainly improved over the last few months, and even though he wasn’t as good last night as he was in Madeira, he showed what he is all about because he had one chance and scored.
"There are going to be a few chasing him, I’m sure, but he has a bit of a groin problem, so for the sake of Bohemians and ourselves at the moment, we need to look after that."
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