Molumby hits back at not being picked for Ireland and insists: ‘I’m not just some lad who runs around kicking people’

Ireland face Portugal and Armenia in the World Cup Qualifiers

The West Brom midfielder is back in Heimir Halgrimsson’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Armenia, but was not picked for the September fortnight, where Ireland were beaten by Armenia and drew with Hungary.

Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes hang by a thread, but the 26-year-old, who last won a cap in November 2024 against England, is raring to go.

"It's nice to be back, it was tough for me, I was gutted not to be selected, and it was hard to watch [the Armenia game]," he said.

"You feel a lot of emotions, angry and disappointed. I didn't get a reason; there is however many lads to pick from and they [coaching staff] were just focused on the players they had selected.

"I feel I've started well this season; I've started all the league games for West Brom and am in a good place."

“I'm not just some lad who is running around kicking people."

Molumby added that he feels major parts of his game are overlooked, and though insisting he is not a player who just runs around “kicking people”, ironically, Halgrimsson recently alluded to the fact he needs a “b*****d” player with aggression. 

"I feel like I don't get enough credit for my technical ability,” Molumby added. “I’m not unbelievable technically, but I can manage myself and I feel I'm good enough on the ball to play at this level and I feel I get looked over for that part of my game.

“I'm not just some lad who is running around kicking people. Part of my game is being aggressive, and I like to add energy, but I believe in myself.

"I feel I can contribute. I'm not here to say I should be playing for Republic of Ireland, it hasn't been a successful time since I've been here, I haven't achieved much or won a big away fixture. I believe in myself but it's hard when results haven't come."