Caoimhín Kelleher is confident that the current Ireland squad have what it takes to to qualify for a major tournament.
The team have been improving under Heimir Hallgrimsson throughout the last 12 months, while most of the squad have gained considerable experience over the last few years. And, as a result, the Brentford goalkeeper feels that the objective should now be securing a place at the top table in world or European football.
Perfect timing, perhaps, as Ireland are about to embark on their latest quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, something that has eluded the national team for, coming on, 24 years.
It was back in 2002 at the Japan and Korea-hosted tournament that Ireland last secured qualification, with Mick McCarthy's side making it through to the knock-out stages, only to lose on penalties against Spain, missing out on a quarter-final berth.
"I think definitely for Ireland it's going to be a big game," said Kelleher, speaking at a press conference after training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's opening qualifier with Hungary.
"The group's in a good place now. I think the next step for us is to probably go and qualify for a major tournament. So we really need to start off with a win for us."
Asked where the confidence of qualifying comes from, Kelleher pointed to the fact that there is real familiarity throughout the squad, with many players on a similar journey, enjoying real success at club level and ready to take it into the international campaign.
"I think probably the majority of that group was maybe making their debuts around that time and coming into the squad," said the keeper, when speaking about his own international journey throughout the last four years.
"So obviously it's been a good few years of development now for us. We've had a few attempts at qualification and obviously it's not happened for us.
"But I think in terms of this group, most of us are looking in the right time of our career right now. We're all at a good age, we're all playing week in, week out now as well, which is important.
"And I think the last few camps have been really positive in terms of performances and results.
"I think the squad has remained relatively similar each time, so we're all getting to know each other.
"I just think everything's adding up and it's looking good at the moment. The next thing for us is to put the pressure on ourselves and to try and go and qualify. We've had a few attempts with this group, but now's the time they really want to push on and do it."
It all starts on Saturday, of course, and Kelleher is determined to open with a morale-boosting victory to kick-off the six-match campaign.
"I think that's certainly the target for us, it would be ideal to start off with a victory," he said.
"Obviously, it's one of our bigger rivals in the group, so I think it puts us in a great position. It's going to be important.
"I don't think a draw is the end of the world, but we're looking for a win. That's what we need to get to be honest."
"It's been quite similar," added Kelleher, when asked about the manager’s message ahead of the international window.
"I think obviously the last few camps have been positive enough. Now, I think it's, like he said, it's 'go time’ for us now. This is it.
"We're just all eyes on Saturday, looking to start with a win. We've had a lot of preparation and this is it now. So we need to go and perform."
Kelleher is enjoying life at club level, playing alongside international team-mate, Nathan Collins, who he said helped him settle into the club, while he is also enjoying reconnecting with former Ireland assistant Keith Andrews.
The keeper admits that he is still getting used to life as a number one in the Premier League, however, it is one that he is enjoying and he feels that it can only improve his overall game.
"It is a change of mentality for me. It's a nice position to be in, to know you're going to be playing week in, week out. In terms of that, it's been quite positive for me.
"It's just trying to focus now on getting good performances in week in, week out. But it has been a nice change for me.
"The last few seasons, I've been number two, but now I'm in that zone where I'm going to be playing week in, week out. I'm number one.
"The pressure's on to perform every week, so I think definitely it's a change of mindset for me. But you know it's been one I've wanted for a while, and it's definitely a positive one for me.
"It's a nice feeling as well to know that you're going to be playing every week. For me, it's all been positive, and I'm enjoying it."
Kelleher was also asked how he was coping since the loss of his good friend, Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident during the summer, and the Cork native admitted that it had been a difficult time.
"It's not been the easiest of times for me personally, for the lads at Liverpool as well, it's going to be difficult," he said.
"But it's been a tough time for myself, he's obviously a big miss and the loss of a huge friend. It's obviously been difficult, as you can imagine."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
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