Kyle Lafferty says every time he takes to the pitch he tries to make his sister proud.
Lafferty is set to captain Northern Ireland in Sunday's international friendly against the USA at Windsor Park.
It will be another special moment in the 33-year-old's career, who will carry the memory of his sister Sonia into the game.
Sonia, who was 41, passed away in hospital just days before Northern Ireland's Euro playoff with Slovakia last November, having been in poor health for some time.
"It will always be tough," Lafferty told the BBC.
"I don't think anyone can prepare themselves to lose a loved one. I was very close to my sister, she was my biggest fan."
Lafferty came on as a second half substitute in that game against Slovakia and almost scored a late winner as Northern Ireland fell to a 2-1 defeat at Windsor Park.
The Kilmarnock striker wore a special t-shirt honouring Sonia during the warm-up, and a visibly emotional Lafferty had to be consoled by manager Ian Baraclough and his teammates after the final whistle.
"To be on the pitch to represent her at that time was important to me and I think she would have wanted me to be there," he added.
"You lose someone that you are close to and love, but she would have wanted me to play football and every single game I go out now thinking about her and trying to score goals for her.
"Hopefully I can go out and get a goal for her on Sunday night. It's always going to be tough, especially for my mum and dad to lose one of their children, but we stick together.
"We are a very close family who are always helping each other out and are there for each other. She will be proud of me no matter what I do but I obviously have to make her proud."
