As Dubliner Michael Doyle lines out for Leeds United in tomorrow's crunch FA Cup tie against Tottenham, he will crack a smile and remember how his career came to a crossroads just six months ago.
The 28-year-old was being quietly ushered towards the exit at Coventry City during the summer and he wondered what move to make next. Then Leeds came in with an offer to reignite his hunger with a season-long loan deal. Doyle didn't need to be asked twice.
Since arriving at Elland Road he has emerged as a key player for the League One leaders with 31 appearances clocked up already.
However, Doyle has been off the international scene since gaining his only cap in 2004 but all of that changed earlier this month when he helped Leeds dump Manchester United out of the FA Cup. Suddenly, he was being tipped for a recall to the Irish set-up and he was handling more interviews than ever before.
Now, as he plots another cup upset, Doyle is hoping that his performance will impress Ireland Giovanni Trapattoni.
'In a lot of ways I have been the forgotten man of the Irish team. It seems like a long time ago when I made my debut against Holland, so I'd like to change that,' Doyle told Sportsmail.
'By playing against teams like Man United and Spurs I have a chance to show that I am good enough to compete at a high level. Hopefully I can put in a good display that helps the team and my chances of a call-up.
'God only knows if I am on the radar of the Ireland manager. I'd like to think that I am. But the Irish squad is quite settled right now, so if I were to get in it would have to come by one of the lads being injured or suspended.
'I think that I could push on through if given the chance to impress. If I could get called up to a squad for a friendly or whatever then I'd like to think that I could stay there.'
It has taken quite a while for Doyle to reach this stage where he is confident enough in his own ability to question why he has not won more international caps.
The Tallaght native had been earmarked as one to watch when he went to Celtic in 1998, however first-team opportunities were non-existent at Parkhead.
A loan move to Danish club AGF Aarhus helped him to mature and grow as a player, but it was when he moved to Coventry that he really made his mark as a combative midfielder.
Yet he was handed just one cap by Brian Kerr and ignored by Steve Staunton. He now believes that the Irish team have moved on from Staunton's 'joke period' and he is itching to be part of the new era.
If he can make another big impression tomorrow then it might not be long before his wish is granted.