Darron Gibson is not about to make the mistake of leaving Manchester United in a search for regular first-team football.
The 21-year-old midfielder is one of the latest crop of youngsters to emerge from the ranks at Old Trafford and attempt to force their way into the reckoning alongside the likes of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand.
Gibson was a shock inclusion in Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland side for their World Cup qualifier against Cyprus last month after impressing for the B squad, and his star is rising too at United.
He made his third appearance of the season as a substitute in Saturday's 5-0 demolition of Stoke - with Trapattoni later suggesting he may have had a hand in his introduction after chatting to United boss Alex Ferguson before the game.
However, like so many young talents before him, he is having to remain patient as he tries to establish himself in the senior squad.
Gibson said: 'It is frustrating when you are not playing, but a lot of young players make the mistake of leaving United too early without getting a chance.
'I am just going to bide my time and hopefully the chance comes and I can take it. I have had chances to go on loan here and there, and I have turned them down and the gaffer has turned them down for me as well because he wanted me to stay.
'I am just going to bide my time and hopefully the chance comes sooner rather than later.'
Gibson is likely to get a second opportunity at senior international level on Wednesday evening when, with Steven Reid injured and Andy Reid and Joey O'Brien not selected, he could once again partner Glenn Whelan in central midfield against Poland.
The pair found the going tough against Cyprus as Ireland battled their way to a precious 1-0 victory to maintain a promising start to the Group 8 campaign.
However, the support of Trapattoni and United counterpart Ferguson, as well as the schooling he has received at Old Trafford, helped the Derry-born player cope with his big test.
He said: 'I couldn't work with anyone better, to be honest. I am getting a lot of experience from both of them and I'm learning a lot.
'Obviously, Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so there is always a pressure there when you are in and around the first team.
'Being at United and being around big, high-profile players, it did help me when I went in because I knew how to handle it a bit.'
By the same token, Gibson, who received a pat on the back from both men after that game, will not be allowed to get carried away.
Asked if Ferguson had kept his feet on the ground on his return to his club, he replied: 'Yes, like he does with everyone.'
Gibson had a chance to learn from, in his opinion, the master during the latter days of former Republic skipper Roy Keane's illustrious career at United, and the Sunderland boss is still an inspiration for him.
He said: 'I was there when he was at United and I haven't really had contact with him since he left. But I enjoyed the time when he was there and I was there. I learned a lot from him. He was a great player and I couldn't have learned from anyone better.
'He was my idol when I was growing up, and it was a dream come true playing with him.'
Trapattoni will have to appoint a new captain for the Poland game with Robbie Keane having returned to Liverpool with a shoulder injury, and assistant Liam Brady believes there are several deserving candidates.
Brady said: 'It will be the manager's decision, but we have some outstanding candidates, the likes of Damien Duff, Richard Dunne and Shay Given. I would say it is probably between them.'
