Seamus Coleman admits he could never have envisaged the career he has had since leaving Sligo Rovers.
And the 31-year-old has no plans to slow down as he looks forward to another qualifying campaign as the Ireland skipper.
One of Stephen Kenny’s first tasks since succeeding Mick McCarthy as senior manager was to phone Coleman and assure him that he will remain as captain.
Kenny said: “The reason being that every value he has as a man and a player, the way he prepares and applies himself, I admire.
“He’s a great ambassador, but ambassador is one thing. How he carries himself, his overall commitment to Irish football makes him an absolute stand-out captain for us.”
But Kenny stopped short of guaranteeing the Everton man a place in the starting team because Wolves ace Matt Doherty will be breathing down his neck.
Coleman is also the Everton captain, having succeeded Phil Jagielka in the role last summer.
He has come a long way in his 310 first-team appearances since the Toffees paid the Bit O’Red £60,000 for his services back in 2009.
Some Everton fans have questioned his form from time to time since returning from his horror double-leg break.
But in an interview with the Everton website, Coleman insisted he will never take his skipper’s role for granted.
Coleman said: “It’s probably not something I ever thought would happen.
“I came here as a 20-year-old as, I suppose, a reserve player, desperate to do well. I had a two-year contract which I looked at as a two-year trial, really, wanting to impress.
“To now be Everton captain is a massive honour for myself and my family. I’ve got my own standards that I live by and to captain this club carries responsibility.”
And Coleman, who wasn’t asked about Kenny's appointment during the club-focused interview, revealed what he did with his first Everton armband.
“I gave it to my mum and thanked her for all she’s done,” he continued. “My brother back home has special needs and my mum and dad have been incredible for him.
“My mum has been our leader at home, so I said that to her when I gave her the armband ‘I was the leader today but you’ve been our leader’.
“For me, it always comes back to family.”
