Sometimes it is best never to meet your heroes, let alone work with them, as there is a chance that they will let you down.
That's how Alex Bruce felt after being cast aside by Roy Keane earlier this season when the Ipswich Town boss sent the 25-year-old out on loan to Leicester City.
It all happened in a bizarre fashion as Bruce had been handed the captain's armband by his boyhood her in August, but found himself out of favour once he returned from a hernia injury.
The former Birmingham City player was left baffled as to how he had gone from being the player that the manager wanted to mould his team around to someone who was forced to train with the reserves.
Something wasn't right. So when Keane approached Bruce in February to inform him that Leicester were interested in a loan deal, he jumped at the opportunity.
'It was really disappointing how it all happened. I've always looked up to Roy since I was a kid and for things to happen the way they did was very hard to take,' Bruce told Sportsmail.
'It happened in funny circumstances. One minute, I'm being made team captain and the next I'm training with three or four kids. It's not my fault that I got injured.
'I've always gotten on okay with Roy, but it was really disappointing how that all panned out. I was a little surprised when he suggested going out on loan would be a good thing for me.
'A lot of things have been said and written about me, but not once have I received a call from someone to explain the situation. I'm in the dark as to whether they want me back at Ipswich.'
Bruce still has a year left to run on his contract at Portman Road and insists that there is no bad blood between himself and Keane, so he hopes that he still has a future at the club.
But there is also a chance that Leicester may want to sign him on a permanent basis as he has impressed since linking up with Nigel Pearson's side and could start in tomorrow's play-off showdown with Cardiff City at the Walkers Stadium.
That is what he is trying to stay focused on right now. As he sees it, if he helps the Foxes win promotion to the Premier League then he might remind a few people of just what he can do on the pitch.
'It is great to be involved in the play-offs with Leicester. It is a massive game for the club on Sunday as we will be at home for the first leg and everyone is eager to get off to a good start,' said the Republic of Ireland international.
'There is a great team spirit in the dressing room and the team have proved over the course of the season that they are good enough to be part of the play-offs.
'Now we have a chance to possibly get into the Premier League.
'Obviously, I'd love to start the game and show what I can do. I played the full 90 minutes in the last game against Middlesbrough, so I feel fresh and ready to go.
'Sometimes it takes these sort of games to show people what you are capable of. I will just have to wait and see if I am starting or not. I'm just itching to end the season on a high.'
It is not just Keane's attention that he wants to grab this weekend.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni left Bruce out of this month's training camp in Malahide and the last time such an exercise took place Bruce was made captain for an Ireland B game against Nottingham Forest. Now he is not sure where he stands.
'I didn't get any call to explain why I wasn't involved, which was a little bizarre,' said Bruce.
'I looked at the squad and I feel that I should be held in a little higher regard than some of the other players in there.
'Maybe I haven't played as many games this season, which is fair enough. But I'm feeling as fit now as I have done in a long time and would love to get a call-up.
'If I play on Sunday then maybe it might catch the eye of Mr Trapattoni. I haven't been involved since the Italy away game in Bari, so I'd love to get the call.'
For Bruce, the play-off games means more than they do to most players as he is trying to convince three different managers that he is worth sticking with.
But he certainly won't be expecting any favours from his boyhood hero.