Hi °C | Lo °C Midfield maestro Sammy Clingan is determined to take his frustration out on Latvia this Saturday after a frustrating start to the season at club level.
The Nottingham Forest ace has suffered along with his team-mates as the two-time European champions fail to make any headway in League One.
After last season's attempt at promotion, hopes were high at the City Ground but Clingan admits they are a long way off this season.
International duty will bring much needed respite to the Belfast man and he can't wait to make Latvia pay for his growing frustration.
Nigel Worthington's side know only a win will be good enough in Riga if they are to keep their dreams of qualifying for Euro 2008 alive.
"It's been a frustrating start to the season with Nottingham Forest, there's no doubting that," said Clingan.
"We've hardly had a win to mention which is extremely annoying given what we achieved last season but I can put that out of my mind for a week when I'm away with Northern Ireland.
"Players love the winning habit and although I haven't experienced that much with Forest since the start of the season, it's always good to get away with Northern Ireland because we couldn't be more confident at the moment.
"Although we are confident, we realise we are here to do a job and that's what we intend to do.
"It's going to be tough, really tough, against Latvia but like the rest of the lads, I'm up for it."
Clingan is almost certain to start in the Baltic state on Saturday evening following the withdrawal from the squad of Birmingham City skipper Damien Johnson.
Johnson has been troubled by a hamstring injury since pre-season and is yet to kick a ball in the Premier League but Clingan is adamant he will be up for the task.
"We've had some terrific performances and results in this campaign but there's no way we're going to rest on our laurels," added Clingan.
"The players know what's at stake but we all genuinely believe we have a real chance of making it to the finals next summer.
"But if we're going to do that we have to come to places like Latvia and Iceland and pick up three points. I know Latvia are now out of contention but they will be a hard nut to crack on their own patch.
"Damien Johnson is an exceptional player and it's a pity he's not in contention but I'm going to treat this game like any other game if the manager picks me."
