Will Keane admits he'd love a crack off his twin brother Michael in a competitive international.
That is unlikely to occur, but then strange things happen in football - as the Keanes' own careers have proven.
Their father hailed from Sligo before moving to England as a 10-year-old. Michael played four times for Ireland at under-17 and under-19 levels in 2010.
The centre-back later admitted he viewed that period as a stepping-stone to England honours. He has 12 senior Three Lions caps.
Meanwhile, Will was an under-17 European Championship winner with England and was capped up to under-20 level.
And his Ireland prospects a decade ago? "It never really came up, to be honest," he said.
"I wasn’t really made aware of it as a young lad. All I knew was playing for England and continued that."
Yet at 28 he hopes to make his Ireland debut under Stephen Kenny having received his first call up last month.
"We did our thing and got on with it," Will said. "It’s just great to play international football, we went different paths but got on with it.
"He wasn’t involved with the England set-up when I started being involved.
"His first approach for a national set-up was from Ireland and he took that. The way it’s panned out is vice-versa. That’s just the way it’s gone."
He was highly regarded at Manchester United, where the two brothers came through the academy.
Michael has gone on to play regularly in the Premier League with Burnley and now Everton.
Will - like Michael - played once in the League for United, and also made one FA Cup appearance for the Old Trafford club.
He was farmed out on loan on several occasions before joining Hull City, Ipswich Town and, most recently, Wigan Athletic in League One.
Mick McCarthy, as Ireland boss, expressed an interest in 2019.
Keane declared for the country of his father's birth but had to wait until last month for a call-up - from Kenny.
He may have to be patient for his chance. As for Michael, the last time he played for the Three Lions was in November 2020 - in the 3-0 friendly win against Ireland at Wembley.
"We sort of joke about it," Will grinned, when asked about the prospect of them facing each other in the green and white.
"Just a brief discussion. He’s not involved as much recently for England.
"Who knows? Hopefully we can finish this campaign strong and then we'll have the Nations League to look forward to next summer.
"We’ll keep building and hopefully we’ll get them in the qualifying group or get to a tournament and meet them there."
A groin issue cost Keane a shot at making the matchday squads for the Azerbaijan and Qatar fixtures when he received his first call-up in October.
He admits that he felt nervous, but joining up with the likes of Wigan colleague James McClean - who let Kenny know how well Keane was playing - helped him settle.
Keane said: "He was telling me how much of a great experience it would be to represent the country. That made me want to achieve it even more.
"He said I’d settle in and be made welcome regardless.
"It felt like that. Like everyone else, I’m just wanting to do whatever I can to contribute to the same goals. I’m looking to give my all, whichever way I can."
