'It's only a matter of time' - the incentive that should help Portsmouth get the best out of striker Makenzie Kirk
Makenzie Kirk has been told a bright international future lies in wait for him if he can start delivering the goods for Pompey on a regular basis
Makenzie Kirk has been told ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before he announces himself on the senior international stage.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill believes the Pompey forward’s career is on the right trajectory, following his permanent move to Fratton Park from Scottish Championship side St Johnstone in the summer.
Yet the Blues striker has been told he needs to keep reminding John Mousinho of his presence and PO4 worth on a regular basis if he is to earn a maiden call-up to the senior Northern Ireland ranks this season.
Kirk was an option for O’Neill when he deliberated on his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia (Friday) and Luxembourg (next Tuesday). The 21-year-old’s recent appearances for both Pompey and Tommy Wright’s under-21s had caught the eye and made him a serious contender to help boost the Ulstermen’s chances of securing a World Cup Finals play-off place next March.
Instead, though, the international manager opted to call upon the services of Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Callum Marshall (West Ham), Dion Charles (Huddersfield) and Josh Magennis (Exeter City) for the two crucial games, leaving the young Pompey forward to once again link up with Wright & Co for their under-21 Euro qualifiers against Latvia and Greece respectively.
That will probably have come as a bit of a disappointment for Kirk, who scored his first goal for the Blues in their 2-1 defeat to Championship leaders Coventry last month.
However, O’Neill firmly believes his time to shine in front of the Windsor Park faithful will come soon rather than later - if he can establish himself as a key player for Pompey over the rest of the current campaign,
Makenzie Kirk told what he needs to do to become senior Northern Ireland international
When asked if Kirk could be someone who leads the line for Northern Ireland going forward, O’Neill told the Belfast Telegraph: ‘Yeah, he could be, but he’s played a few games in the Championship, so we shouldn’t get carried away.
‘He’s a young player who has played well in the 21s. Makenzie is one that we could have thought about for this camp, though I personally think he would be better developing further in the 21s for another camp, but, equally, he’s available if you need to call him in.
‘You’ve got to remember a lot of Makenzie’s minutes at St Johnstone were off the bench.
‘Portsmouth have paid a fee for him and he’s got the opportunity to start maybe two or three games in the last two or three weeks.
‘His time will definitely come and his time will come quickly if he can stay in and around Portsmouth’s team. I think it’s only a matter of time before Makenzie’s going to get that opportunity.’
Makenzie Kirk’s Pompey career to date
Kirk has made six appearances for Pompey following his summer move from St Johnstone.
His goal against Coventry. after coming off the bench, came in just his third appearance for the club and earned him his first start against Stoke a couple of days later.
The 21-year-old also kept his place in the team for the next game at Birmingham.
Despite the Blues’ struggles in front of goal, though, he has found himself back on the bench in recent games, with Colby Bishop being given extra time to rediscover his touch in front of goal.