Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney is hopeful he can earn a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016 by firing the Dons to Scottish Premiership title glory this season.

The 27-year-old scored his 16th league goal of the campaign to help Derek McInnes’ side defeat Dundee on Friday and remain on the coat tails of league leaders Celtic.

The two title rivals will go head to head at Pittodrie on February 3 in a potentially pivotal game in the championship race and Rooney is confident his side will be capable of defeating the reigning champions.

He said: “We know if we perform to our potential we can give anyone a game. We showed the standards we’re capable of earlier in the season when we beat Celtic. We are on a good run so we are looking forward to it and we are always confident going into matches.”

The former Birmingham frontman, who is yet to win an international cap for the Republic of Ireland, is hoping to continue his recent goalscoring exploits for the Dons, as he bids to force his way into Martin O’Neill’s 23-man squad for this summer’s European Championship.

He added: “It would be brilliant to get to the Euros and any player would feel the same. The only way I have a chance of getting there is by doing a job here and making sure I’m scoring goals.”

ROI will face the world’s highest ranked side Belgium as well as Italy and Sweden in Group E at Euro 2016.

They are available at 10.00 to finish top of the group and are on offer at 2.38 to progress to the knockout stages.