Glenn Whelan has admitted he moved to Hearts in order to prolong his international career, turning down bigger offers abroad.
The 35-year-old joined Craig Levein 's side in August after leaving Aston Villa, and he's been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming international break.
The midfielder had lucrative options abroad, but explains he decided to move to Tynecastle to save his international career.
Whelan said: "I spoke to the manager ( Mick McCarthy ).
"I had one or two options abroad that were really interesting at the time.
"The manager wasn't too keen to be honest because the league wasn't probably as strong as where I'm playing now or where I was at. So he wants me trying to play as high and competitively as much as I can.
"If it was down to money I would be gone - in the sun somewhere at the minute. But for me it's never been about money or earning a certain wage.
"I'm happy playing football and that's all I want to do, so for me it was about getting the club right for the family and to have a chance playing for Ireland .
"I want to play for Ireland at the Euros, so I spoke to a few people and I think in the end, Hearts was the right decision for me.
"Even when I spoke to the Hearts manager, I told him basically I want to play as long as I can and as high as I can because I want to have a great chance of qualifying and I would love to still be around and be a part of it.
"I think it'll suit me. The manager at Hearts has been really good to me, he's given me time off to go and see the family and go and spend hours down there so it's been OK."
