Rooney delighted to be back in under-21 squad

ADAM Rooney is determined to make the most of his last chance to represent the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.

The Caley Thistle attacker has been recalled by his country after an absence of more than two years for the European championship qualifiers against Switzerland tonight and Turkey on Tuesday.

Ireland cannot make the finals and will use the two games to prepare themselves for the next campaign.

However, Rooney, 22, will be too old by then, and so he is desperate to sign off in style. He said: “I’m delighted to be back with the under-21s. It’s been a few years since I was in the squad, so I’m glad to be back.

“Unfortunately, these will be my last two matches because I will be over-age for the next campaign, so, hopefully, I get a chance to play and it will be great to play for Ireland again.”

When Rooney last represented his country, against England in February 2008, he was still trying to make his way in the game at Stoke, from where he had loan spells at Yeovil, Chesterfield and Bury.

However, he has blossomed since joining Caley Thistle, for whom he scored 24 goals last season as they bounced back into the Scottish Premier League at the first attempt.

Four goals in five top-flight games to date have demonstrated his continuing potency and he is relishing the chance to link up with Anthony Stokes once again following his move to Celtic.