AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Evergreen Brady now has veteran status in the Ireland squad but our recently crowned Player of the Year insists he can write another chapter to add to his heroics in Lille

- BY MARK McCADDEN

ROBBIE BRADY knows he isn't getting any younger and that opportunities to play at the highest level are running out.

So when it comes to both club and country, the Dubliner seems more determined than ever to seize the day.

That goes for the prospects of adding to his 160 Premier League appear ances as much as it does the chance of appearing at another major international tournament.

At 33 years of age, next year’s World Cup represents one of his last chances to add to that sensational Euro 2016 contribution, when Brady etched his name into Irish footballing folklore.

His late winner against Italy in Lille became the Stuttgart moment for a generation that wasn’t fortunate enough to be around when Ray Houghton put the ball in the English net.

Brady followed that up with the opener in Ireland's last-16 clash with tournament hosts France, who rallied in the second-half with two Antoine Griezmann goals.

“You want to be involved in every tournament,’ said the Preston ace.

“We haven't managed that over the last couple but this one coming around, we'll all be fully focused.

“We know what it means to everybody. We know what a lift it will be give to the country, to go and qualify for a World Cup.

“And personally it would be absolutely incredible to go and play in a World Cup.