Caitlin Hayes still feels like "the dork in front of the cool kids" alongside the Republic of Ireland's biggest names, but the 28-year-old is fast becoming a leader in her own right after a whirlwind three months.
Celtic centre-half Hayes bounced into Ireland camp on Monday off the back of a 13-0 destruction of Aberdeen in the Scottish Women's Premier League, chipping in with a trademark header at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
Just over a year ago she attended Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Scotland as a fan.
Now she’s an automatic starter after securing citizenship in September and immediately going into the side for the UEFA Nations League clash against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
Assured, physical and a real threat off setpieces, Hayes looks made for international football. But she's taking nothing for granted as the challenges come thick and fast.
"I was watching the World Cup and willing [Ireland] to do well," she reflected ahead of this week’s games against Hungary and the North.
"It was just incredible watching them on that stage, it was the stage they deserved to be on. I watched them at Hampden Park when they played Scotland and qualified and that was a massive high. I actually went to that game and froze, but the joy within me heated me up.
"It was great obviously, and from September onwards I had slight imposter syndrome that I’m in with this group. I feel like the dork in front of the cool kids!
"I’m just thankful to be here and to have the opportunity. I get time off at Christmas and that’ll be my time to kind of unwind and reflect. I’ll probably need the whole of next year to reflect on this last couple of months of being within this squad. Long may it continue."
Hayes has been an excellent addition to the squad, gelling instantly with Diane Caldwell and Louise Quinn to form a central defensive three that’s conceded just once in four Nations League games.
Having already won the group and achieved promotion to League A, Ireland would be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas against the Hungarians in Tallaght and then Northern Ireland in Belfast, but Hayes insists these games hold crucial importance.
"I can’t get my head around being promoted," she said. "I just think with this camp, you need to win these two games… just because everyone expects you to kind of dip down or lose momentum or complacency I guess comes into play when you’re already promoted, but I can guarantee you that there’s zero of that attitude or complacency in this camp.
"Any opportunity to wear that shirt is a time to represent it with pride and honour and give your all for the badge and country. It’s just something I’m super excited for.
"There’s no complacency and no room for error when it comes to these two games. It’s definitely something where you want to end on a high, and it’s Christmas. What better gift than two more wins?"
Fresh-faced pair Freya Healy and Ellen Dolan are in the squad for the first time ahead of the final double-header of the Nations League campaign.
They will naturally look up to the likes of Hayes - a seasoned, slick performer with the temperament to shine on the big stage.
"The hugs get a bit tighter the more camps you've been in so I'm getting well loved."
Not that Hayes seems particularly aware of her status. She continues to embrace every opportunity she gets to pull on the green jersey, still pinching herself that she's now ingrained in the camp.
"I've never been a part of an international set-up so it's weird leaving and then coming back and seeing people that are actually really happy to see you," she smiled.
"In club everything kind of becomes monotonous and grainy and it's like, 'ah, seeing you again, I seen you yesterday.' The day to day life grinds you down, whereas here, you walk into a room and the actual joy on people's faces to be like, 'Ah, we're all back together.' I think that's the most special part of camp.
"The hugs get a bit tighter the more camps you've been in so I'm getting well loved. Like I said, can't believe I'm here. I'm just grateful for it."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in the UEFA Nations League on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm
