Gary Deegan is not the type of player to shy away from a challenge, so it is of little surprise that the fiery Coventry City midfielder is relishing today's clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
The 22-year-old has made a big impression since linking up with the Sky Blues. Two goals in five starts is not a bad return, but he has been angered by suggestions that he might not be good enough for the Championship.
Deegan is determined to show that he is capable of cutting it in the second tier of English football and that he is worthy of a place in Chris Coleman's side.
The former Bohemians midfielder has played the full 90 minutes of Coventry's last three Championship games and now wants to feature in the remaining seven matches as the Sky Blues continue to push for a possible play-off place.
'Now that I'm in the team, I plan to stay there. I think I've showed in the last few games that I can hold my own in this league, but there is more still come,' Deegan told Sportsmail.
'There are a lot of quality players in this league, but I want to show that I'm as good as they are. It is a big club that I'm at and it is up to me to show why I should be in the team each week.
'The season is nearly over, but there are still a lot of twists and turns to take, so we could still end up in the play-offs. But we know that we have to rely on other teams to help us with that.
'We want to end the season on a high and for me it is a chance to prove myself in the last few games. If I can do that then people will start taking me seriously.'
Deegan's route from Coolock on the northside of Dublin to the Ricoh Arena has not been a straightforward one as he has played for five senior clubs despite his age.
Having started with St Columbans, he then rose through the ranks at Shelbourne before having spells with Kilkenny City, Longford Town, Galway United and then landing at Bohemians.
It was during his two-year stint with Bohs that he really stood out and he credits the influence of manager Pat Fenlon for helping to shape him into the player that he is today.
'Pat has been brilliant for me. He was actually the one who handed me my first full-time contract when I was at Shelbourne and he brought me to Bohemians when he got the job there,' explained Deegan.
'Working under Pat was great. He knows what he is talking about and when he gives you some advice you take it in as it is normally something that helps you improve.
'I don't think I would be the same player that I am now if I didn't work with Pat. I owe a lot to him and he helped me to mature at Bohemians over the last two years.
'Not only that, but he also helped me pick the right club when the time came to move to England. He was great at giving me advice on who to go with and I'm thankful to him for that.'
The Dubliner appeared to be on his way to Ipswich Town last summer with Roy Keane stating at the time that he was a player that very much interested the Tractor Boys.
That move fell through though and Deegan is still not quite sure why it didn't work out, but he was happy to finish the season with Bohs, where he played a big part in helping them to defend their Premier Division title.
Once the Airtricity League season was finished in November, he was on his way over to Coventry, where he has made 14 appearances so far. However, he insists he has yet to show his best form.
'I don't think there is a huge difference between the standard of football in Ireland compared to the Championship, but there is just a lot more of everything,' he said.
'There are more fans, more teams, more people who know your name and more quality players. A lot of the lads in Ireland, especially at Bohemians, would make it over here, but it is a step up.
'I still have a lot to prove. I won the league and cups in Ireland and played in the Champions League, but you have to be on your game all of the time here and that is what I love. The bigger the game is the more I look forward to it.
'But I think I can still improve as a player. I'm still young enough to learn and add more things to my game. The manager has given me good feedback, so it is just a case of playing in more games now.'
With Deegan all fired up and ready to prove his worth, Coventry could make a surprise late run for the play-offs.
And even if they fall just short, they know that they have a midfielder on their books who is destined to get even better with the more games that he plays.