And he would love to make as good a start to next season as he did last - when he scored the last-minute winner against Tottenham Hotspur.

He said: "I haven't really played much in pre-season, but I know that if I am going to stay in the team then I have to score goals.

"When the gaffer told me that I would be playing against Athlone, I was desperate to get a goal.

"Thankfully I got two, and at the end I was trying my hardest to get a hat-trick.

"The keeper did well because I had a couple of other chances, and he made some good saves.

"I wanted a hat-trick, but it wasn't to be. Now I just have to hope that I'm in the team against Shamrock Rovers and that I can get another goal.

"All the pre-season games have been very different, but it is just the same in the Premiership.

"You don't just play against the top teams or the bottom teams, you play everyone in between too. You just have to maintain your focus.

"It was good for me to get the two goals. After losing against Ajax on Sunday, it was important for our confidence that we bounced back and we did that.

"All I can do is keep on scoring goals. If the manager wants to bring in another striker then it is up to me to rise to the challenge.

"Pre-season has gone well - I've thoroughly enjoyed it. We've played some good teams and put in some good performances both here in Ireland and a few weeks ago in Portugal.

"I can't wait for the first game now. Right from the moment the lads came back for training you could see that everyone wanted to be involved in that first game.

"I'd settle for a repeat of last year! I'd love to score the winner in the first game of the season again, but of course it depends on the team the manager picks.

"But anything we can get against Liverpool, we would take because they are a fantastic team.

"It just down to me to carry on scoring goals."