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Harry Arter enjoying challenge of trying to secure place in Republic of Ireland squad

Republic of Ireland's Harry Arter (R) in action against Netherlands' midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum during the friendly football match between Ireland and
Image: Harry Arter (R) is attempting to secure a place in Martin O'Neill's squad for Euro 2016

Harry Arter is unfazed by the pressure of trying to force his way into Martin O'Neill's 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016.

The Bournemouth midfielder played 82 minutes on Friday as Ireland drew 1-1 with the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium

It was only Arter's second senior cap for his country and came almost a year after he gained his first in a friendly against England. 

But with just one more friendly to go - against Belarus on Tuesday - before O'Neill announces his final squad for the finals in France, Arter says he is not feeling the burden of what is at stake. 

"I feel fortunate and lucky enough to be in this position. I don't see it as pressure, I see it as a challenge. I was pleased to get the nod," the 26-year-old said. 

Republic of Ireland's midfielder Harry Arter vies with England's striker Jamie Vardy (R)
Image: Arter made his international debut for Ireland last year against England

"We're professional footballers - if you feel like you're under pressure, then you're not going to give it your all. This is my job to perform and give it my best, and that's what I tried to do.

"I was happy with how I did. I gave it my best, 110 per cent, and that's all you can do."

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Injuries limited Arter to just 22 appearances for Bournemouth last season, but he showed no sign of rustiness to give O'Neil something to think about as he assesses the relative merits of his squad.  

Late goal denies Rep of Ireland
Late goal denies Rep of Ireland

ROI were denied victory in their penultimate friendly before Euro 2016 by the Netherlands…

"I've worked hard for the past two months to try and get my body as good as it can get and [on Friday night] I was pleased out there," Arter added. 

O'Neill will announce his squad after the Belarus game in Cork just hours before UEFA's deadline, and he will do so having seen his side turn in a competitive display against the Dutch.

Shane Long opened the scoring with a close-range 30th-minute finish and that looked like being enough until substitute Luuk de Jong took advantage of a rare lapse by the Republic defence to head home Jetro Willems' cross five minutes from time.

Asked about the late equaliser, Arter said: "Of course it matters because you don't want to concede goals. It's not a habit you want to get used to.

"But I think you have to recognise that the Dutch are an unbelievable side. I know they're not going to the Euros, but if they were going, I'd have no doubt that they would be seen as one of the favourites for the tournament."

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