Doc hopes for dream ticket to a World Cup swansong

MATT Doherty is dreaming of a trip to the World Cup finals with the Republic of Ireland after completing a half-century of senior caps.

- By DAMIAN SPELLMAN

The 33-year-old made his 50th appearance for his country in Sunday's 2-1 Nations League play-off victory over Bulgaria in Dublin, a landmark the Wolves defender feared he might never reach after a delayed start to his international career.

However, having seen Portugal confirm their place as top seeds in a group which also includes Ireland, Hungary and Armenia for the qualification campaign that gets under way in September, Doherty is desperate to end the nation’s wait to play tournament football for the first time since Euro 2016.

He said: “That's the one thing you want to do the most. I have said it before, that feeling of playing for your country is just hard to match up to, what it does to the country, the fanbase, everything, it brings everyone together.