CONROY: 'I WANT FIRST-TEAM FOOTBALL'

Conroy - wants first-team football.

Ryan Conroy sees every Scotland Under-21 call-up as a reminder of how close and yet so far he is from breaking in to the Celtic first team.

The midfielder joined up with Billy Stark's squad before flying out for tonight's European Championship qualifier against Lithuania in Marijampole.

The 21-year-old has been on the fringes of Gordon Strachan's plans and was in the squad for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against St Mirren on the opening day of the season.

But Conroy is frustrated that most of his under-21 team-mates - including former Hoops starlet Charlie Mulgrew who is now playing for Aberdeen - have made that step up to the first team at their clubs.

He said: "I'm 21 now and I want first-team football with Celtic.

"I train with the first team quite a lot and I was in the squad for the St Mirren game.

"But the next step is harder, especially with five or six good players ahead of you fighting for the same place. But you can only do your best.

"Obviously, I am getting on now and with Scotland I meet up with players who are playing in the first team and it's hard because you know you've got the ability to do what they do.

"But it's harder to break through at Celtic than it is at other clubs.

"I speak to Charlie a lot about it. He had to get out but it's not easy.

"I have tried to get out on loan. I have asked Willie McStay (Celtic reserve coach) about it but that's hard as well. I've been told that they are happy with me.

"You can't let it get to you because you will just get angry, and if you get angry then it will affect the way you play.

"But it's just life at the Old Firm these days."

Conroy will focus his attention on tonight's crucial game against Lithuania, where the Scots need a win to give them any chance of qualifying through to the finals.

He said: "I was at the finals with the under-19s and so I know how good it is.

"This is up another level so it will be even better if we get to the finals.

"We have a good chance but we want to go in to the last game still with a chance of getting through, so we need to win this one."