Jack Byrne has finally 'come back down to earth' after becoming the 5ooth player to win a senior international cap for the Republic of Ireland in the recent friendly win against Bulgaria.
The Shamrock Rovers midfielder claimed an assist and played a big part in another goal, helping Ireland to a 3-1 win and Byrne revealed how he received some important advice from one member of manager Mick McCarthy's backroom team.
Ireland legend Robbie Keane proved to be a big help to the 23-year-old in the lead up to, and on the night, of his senior international debut.
"He's played in the number 10 [position] as well, so [he was] just giving me advice," Byrne told Off The Ball.
"When not to run, when to hold your position, stand still and try and not run myself out of the game because sometimes you can be too eager to get on the ball.
"Look, there's no better person to learn from than Robbie, especially for someone like myself who plays in that number ten position. The advice that he's given me and even when I was on the pitch, he'd be saying certain stuff to me, even when I was in the game, he doesn't have to do that.
"So for him to take the time out to try and help me and to try and improve my game is something I'm really grateful for."
Byrne also mentioned the fact that McCarthy sent him a congratulatory text in the days following his debut, something which the midfielder was also very thankful for.
The important business of Euro 2020 qualification is back on the agenda next month as Ireland travel to face both Georgia and Switzerland away and the Dubliner has given himself a big chance of making the squad for those games.
However, when he is asked about that possibility, he is quick to steer the conversation back to Shamrock Rovers and the important business of an FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians this Friday night.
"I'm not really thinking about [making the Ireland squad], I'm just coming back down to earth after what happened," added Byrne.
"It was a mad couple of weeks but it's such a big couple of weeks for the club, for the fans, for my own family as well, coming to watch games all season and now they get to come and watch a semi-final in Dalymount with a chance for us to get to a cup final here in the Aviva [Stadium].
"It's such a big week for the club and I think we've approached it properly. We've played strong sides in all the games, which you should because you should respect the league and we're not just looking at the cup.
"But obviously you want to get to a cup final, you want to be here come November. Look, we're working hard, we're trying hard so hopefully we can just get a bit of luck on Friday."
Jack Byrne was speaking at the launch of FIFA 20 with the return of the popular FIFA 20 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Club Packs, which will be going live when the game launches this Friday 27th September.
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