Playing it by the book proves Reid is a quick learner

Boom. Steven Reid's right foot thumps the ball into the net. Boom, he does it again. And again. Free-kick practice at Millwall Football Club, and Reid is in his element. "You can go in now," says one of the coaches. "You ain't going to better that one."

Except, of course, he already has. His second cap for the Republic of Ireland, against Russia last year. Three minutes in and the ball drops 20 yards out. Reid swings the same right foot. Boom. Goal. And all of Ireland is talking about the 21-year-old with a wallop like a piston, a grandfather from Newport, County Galway, and who had just chosen to wear the green jersey.

One World Cup, one wayward captain and one manager later and Reid, yet to reach 10 appearances, is a burgeoning prospect likely to retain his place for the European qualifiers against Georgia and Albania and beyond.

A product of the Millwall youth system he joined aged 10, the London-born Reid came to prominence playing for England in the same Under-16 team as Joe Cole and Francis Jeffers. But the Irish were also aware of him after a tip-off by his club team-mate, and Irishman, Robbie Ryan.

"I felt proud and privileged," Reid says. "I always knew I was eligible but it moved quickly." An Under-21 call-up came from Don Givens, and three games later he was in the senior squad. "I had just finished the season in the Second Division and I get the call-up. It was amazing," Reid says.

It became more amazing when Reid helped steer newly promoted Millwall to fourth in the First Division. Then, at the 11th hour, he was off one plane, heading for a holiday in Barbados, and on to another, going to the World Cup as a replacement for the injured Mark Kennedy. "Mick McCarthy left a message on my phone late the night before, after the testimonial for Niall Quinn," Reid explains. "But I did not pick it up until the morning."

His on-field contribution in Japan and Korea amounted to two 15-minute cameos, against Cameroon and Germany. "It was a dream. Everyone took to us," he says. "I still don't think it has sunk in, maybe it won't do until nearer the end of my career – although hopefully there will be a couple more World Cups."

Reid clearly feels he owes a debt to McCarthy, although many believe a less cautious manager would have used the midfielder more. Was he disappointed to see McCarthy go? "I was a bit," Reid says. "But ever since Roy Keane went home, the media have been on his back – even the fans at Lansdowne Road were for his last game. There was a bit of unrest and obviously he had had enough. I was disappointed, as were most of the squad, and I spoke to him afterwards, as did the others."

Reid, who tore ankle ligaments at the beginning of this season, missed the defeats in Moscow and at home to Switzerland which have dumped the Irish at the bottom of their qualifying group and made six points from the double-header a must.

In came Brian Kerr, and Reid is not alone in having taken to the Dubliner who got off to a winning start in the friendly against Scotland. "I spoke to him after he got the job and I was just returning from injury, so I was delighted to be in," Reid says. "He keeps in contact with everyone and spoke individually to the players after the game.'

Victory, he says, was vital. "If we had lost we would have had the Roy Keane business pop up again and again," Reid explains, referring to the Manchester United captain's decision to announce his international retirement on the eve of the Glasgow fixture. "It was a bit strange, but we just got on with our job and played well. Obviously, we spoke about it, but our aim was simply to win."

Winning is a habit which has deserted Millwall of late and, with seven defeats in their last nine games, they have slid alarmingly down the table. Another season in the Nationwide beckons – although many feel Reid is unlikely to stay. "Compared to last season, when we finished fourth, it has been a let-down really," he concedes.

Does he fear it will affect his international chances? "At the moment it has not. In the past under Mick McCarthy, and now under Brian Kerr, neither said I had to be playing in the Premier League," Reid says. "But eventually it is going to play a part, and to make myself a better player it is the place to be. Hopefully with Millwall, although obviously not this season. That is where I want to play." And, undoubtedly, where he will.