Seamus Coleman insists his concern is not that this could be his last shot at making a World Cup, but rather that he wants one for this Ireland squad and the fans.
Speaking in Belgrade this morning ahead of the opening World Cup qualifier against Serbia tomorrow night, the Ireland captain declared that he will fight for his country's place on the big stage for as long as his career continues.
He turns 33 next October, so realistically this is it for the long-serving Everton defender, but Coleman argues that his focus is on the big picture, not his own situation.
"My frame of mind is I want Ireland to get to the World Cup," he stressed. "My frame of mind is never ‘my last chance this, my last chance that’.
"I want to fight for my country. When that ends, that ends. It’s never a case of it being, ‘Ah, this could be my last one.’
"I want a World Cup for the lads that are here, for the fans at home, whether it be the last or the second-last, whatever the case may be, I don’t care. I just want a World Cup for the country.
"And then I’ve had my time, I’ve had my Euros, I’ve had my caps behind me and I’m not thinking that this could the last one. That doesn’t enter my mind whatsoever.
"There’s a biggest picture than this being Seamus Coleman’s last chance at a World Cup. Definitely."
Coleman has missed the last 10 games for Ireland, and so has yet to play under Stephen Kenny, who succeeded Mick McCarthy last April and is still waiting for his first win after eight games.
"I can’t explain how much I missed it," the Donegal man said. "It’s been something that’s been on my mind, I love playing for my country.
"I can’t even remember when the last one was, it might have been the sending off (against Switzerland in October 2019).
"It’s been a very long time. I was injured for most of the other selections, I was doing quite well at club level, but I picked up a niggle before we met up which is disappointing.
"To get here, to be with the lads and with the staff is an amazing feeling - but ultimately getting back out there and putting on the green shirt is what we always want and is what I want tomorrow, so we will see what happens.
"Delighted to be here and cannot wait to get started again."
If Ireland are looking for inspiration, they can look to the European play-off against Slovakia in October, when they should have scored and won over the 90 minutes but lost the semi-final on penalties.
"The lads played very well that night I thought, ultimately we didn’t win which was what we wanted, but the lads played well and I am sure the lads who did play well in that game will have confidence going forward in the green jersey," said Coleman.
"I think now it’s a new campaign and we are looking for a fresh start, and bringing that little bit of confidence from that game.
"Looking forward to getting going again properly again, and making sure we start off the campaign well tomorrow and go on from there. "
Kenny's squad has been decimated by injury, having been decimated by Covid in previous international windows.
One of the big areas of concern is the goalkeeper situation, with Mark Travers - who has two caps - expected to start ahead of the uncapped Gavin Bazunu in the absence of Darron Randolph and Liverpool's young netminder Caoimhin Kelleher.
"I don’t know which one of them it will be, I have no inclination whatsoever, but we have been blessed with Darren Randolph for the last number of years, he has been so consistent and he will be a miss," acknowledged Coleman.
"On the other hand, these young lads who have come in, all while Darren has been here, we’ve always had some good young goalkeepers coming into train, Mark being one and now Gavin being another.
"They are unbelievable, honestly. They are really, really good goalkeepers and very confident in themselves as well.
"You can see some of the clips of their training sessions, and some of the saves these lads pull off is incredible.
"I have no doubts. I think they need to enjoy it and embrace it - whichever one of them it is - and let the senior lads take a bit of the pressure of what the game is, and allow those lads to go out and enjoy it.
"You’re playing for your country and that’s what you want as a kid. I think it’s important they know they are good players and enjoy it. And after that there’s no need to tell them how important the game is, just go out and enjoy it."
Coleman added: "As players you come in and you’re not looking too much at what the XI will be, you focus on yourself and let the manager and coaching team decide the rest of it.
"We have a strong squad. I know we have some injuries, Conor Hourihane got an injury before we met up and Callum O’Dowda, but that’s part and parcel of international football, you’re going to get injuries before you meet up.
"We have players in here who are hungry to do well and happy to be here for their country. It’s a tough game for us but as always, we will give it our all."
