It is something of a paradox that Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison can score so regularly for the Republic of Ireland on the international scene, yet he continues to find Premiership goals elusive.

But the 25-year-old, who has scored just 15 league goals in nearly three seasons for Blues since his £4.25 million transfer from Crystal Palace, believes he knows why.

Morrison says he feels more confident playing for Brian Kerr's side - for whom he scored his fourth goal in six international matches against China this week - as Ireland's manager clearly has plenty of faith in him.

Morrison's impressive goal in the 1-0 win at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday illustrated why he is an automatic starter alongside Robbie Keane for Kerr's team, for whom he has now scored eight goals in 27 appearances.

However, Morrison says he has struggled to repeat his international exploits for Birmingham as manager Steve Bruce clearly prefers pairing Emile Heskey and Walter Pandiani up-front together instead.

"That green jersey, it just brings the best out in me," said Morrison yesterday. "It's also about a manager who has faith in you, though.

"If you have that and you know you are going to play every time you are called up, then you are going to be full of confidence.

"Whereas if you are not playing, or you are in and out, you don't think the manager has that faith in you and that affects you."

Scoring against the likes of Israel, China, Switzerland and Cyprus - as Morrison has this season - is probably easier than notching in the Premiership but he prefers to credit Kerr as the inspiration behind his impressive goal haul at international level - and his Irish team-mates, too.

"There are also brilliant players around me for Ireland," he added. " I'm obviously playing with better players with Ireland than those at Birmingham and that also gives you confidence.

"In particular, since Roy Keane returned to the side, I have got on brilliantly with him. He helps me out a lot and when you've someone like that barking instructions out to you, again it gives you a massive lift."

Morrison's rich vein of form at international level makes it all the more frustrating for the London-born forward that he is not playing on a weekly basis for Birmingham.

Despite assurances from Bruce that he is wanted at St Andrew's and is important to the club's squad, Morrison's lack of recent first-team opportunities means he is considering whether to extend his contract at the club in the summer.

Blues do plan to make him a new offer, but Morrison is more interested in playing regularly, not least to cement his position in the Republic of Ireland team.

He said: "What happens now is up to the manager [Bruce]. At the moment, he has his front two and he likes to pick Emile Heskey and Pandiani.

"All I can do is keep giving him reminders of what I can do when I'm out on the pitch because I've been talking too much and saying 'come on Steve Bruce, give me this, give me that', so I'll just let my football do the talking.

"There were a few Championship clubs that wanted to take me on loan, but the manager didn't want to let me go. If I had gone, then maybe it would have been of benefit to me because I do need games.

"But the manager says I am still part of his plans, so hopefully with eight Premiership games to go, I will play some part.

"My form's good at the moment and I'm playing with a lot of confidence so hopefully I can keep it going.

"Ireland play Israel and the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifiers in June and they will be key.

"If I'm not playing in the Premiership, then I will train hard, work hard and play reserve games to keep my fitness up."

Morrison's attitude under the circumstances is commendable, as is his goal ratio for Ireland, but it may still not be enough to convince Bruce to start him at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.