Chiedozie Ogbene is loving life in the fast lane and has the drive to survive as an international after becoming a forward thinker for his club.
All summer there was speculation that Ireland’s new poster boy could be leaving Rotherham United despite promotion to the Championship from League One.
But the Corkman has remained loyal to the Millers for now, although admits there is no progress on new contract talks which means he will always be a flight risk.
And particularly so as his stock continues to rise on the international stage after scoring three goals in 10 appearances since breaking through 15 months ago.
Rotherham used to deploy Ogbene as a wing-back, but the 25-year-old has flourished further up the pitch for Stephen Kenny in a wide, attacking role.
That purple patch wasn’t lost on Millers boss Paul Warne who converted Ogbene into an emergency striker this season and has been rewarded with five goals in 11 games.
“I'm not a natural striker, I've played winger all my life and to leave players like Georgie Kelly and Tom Eaves out to play me up top shows his belief in me,” said Ogbene.
“Since I've been here with Ireland, playing a more forward role has helped him to make his decision.
“I'm working on it and I'm learning to be more of a focal point for the team and be that outlet. I'm hoping I'll continue to chip in with goals for the team.
“If I do, I’m sure it will help the manager make that decision (to remain a striker) as I really enjoy that position.
“I think my teammates like me up there, I can be that outlet for them if we are under pressure and I enjoy going in behind and running at defenders.”
The more headlines that Ogbene grabs for club and country, the bigger his profile becomes and the Ireland ace has made no secret of his career ambitions.
He wants to play in the Premier League and the fact that contract talks are on hold means his future beyond this season is unclear if he remains on an upward trajectory.
Ogbene said: “There is no talk, the club hasn't really come to me. I’ve said to them I want to push for the next step and they know my desire is to push.
“We’ll see how it pans out but I think they are more than happy to see how the season goes and hopefully I can contribute.
“The club wanted to keep me. The manager sat me down and said ‘Chio, I want to keep you’ and I was happy where I was.
“I was getting the opportunity every week and that's where I wanted to be, playing football. Before I had been at Brentford where I wasn't playing.
“I wanted to make sure that this decision was right for me and my family. I wasn’t really close (to leaving this summer), and I didn’t let it distract me.
“If it was something that came in and both I and my family, and the club, were happy with it, we would have to consider it but nothing came.”
Back in the Championship for a second time, Ogbene is pulling out the stops to make himself the best he can be in the higher league and with his new position.
And he feels his brief time with the Ireland team has already improved him as a player as he eyes Saturday’s clash against Scotland at Hampden Park.
Ogbene said: “I'm improving and I'm doing more off-ball activity to make sure I stay healthy throughout the year.
“I always strive to be better and I want to test myself in the higher leagues so I need to make sure I can show what I want to do this year.
“When I look back at my clips from League One since I've been with Ireland, my decision-making and being patient (has improved).
“When you're playing in League One, I'm always running towards the ball and at this level, you learn to trust your team-mates around you.
“You learn to trust that the ball is going to come to you. They are the big steps.
“Physically, I feel good and I've put on some kilos, some lean muscle, so I've become more powerful, but I think the most important thing is decision-making.
“That's what separates the best players from the really good players, just that split second decision, so I'm trying to improve on that.”
But despite his swift elevation to crowd favourite status, Ogbene knows he cannot afford to take his place in Kenny’s squad for granted.
“I’m happy to bear (that pressure) but when you come into international level, no one is guaranteed positions,” he continued.
“You have to fight every day of your life to get a position in this team because you see players come and go.
“I’m quite fortunate with the times I’ve been called up. I enjoy the occasion and I see the kind of players we have here.
“I’m learning from them to take it back to my club and I try to work twice as hard to get a jersey, to even be in the squad first of all.
“I know what it takes but I’m quite blessed, the coaches keep feeding information to me to help me improve my game and that's what I’ll do.”
And Ogbene added: “That’s the drive I have and I want to go to the next level.”
But the former Limerick and Cork City man is braced for a Scotland backlash at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Ireland thumped their Nations League rivals 3-0 at Aviva Stadium in June and Ogbene knows revenge will be on the Scots’ mind in Glasgow.
Scotland will be without Liverpool ace and captain Andy Robertson after he shipped a knee injury on Champions League duty.
But Ogbene said: “If I was to lose 3-0, you would expect a reaction. Anyone, to lose a game and not expect a reaction, you need to re-think what industry you're in.
“I'm sure they're going to watch the clips and know our strengths so we have to have other stuff in the locker to impose ourselves away from home.”
But Ogbene insists that Ireland are on a mission to secure six points from the Scotland and Armenia games.
And the Boys in Green will be on a revenge mission of their own when they host Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday having lost 1-0 in Yerevan in June.
Ogbene - who played in Armenia but then missed the win over Scotland with a groin injury - continued: “We want six points.
“We want to rectify the Armenia result because it was a frustrating away day and display.
“Hopefully we get the six points and leave the rest to the footballing gods.
“I'm excited to go there [Hampden], excited for the atmosphere as I think we'll bring a good crowd.
“But we just need to stay focused and not let that interfere with our performance.
“We’ll try to impose ourselves, bring the game to a high intensity and see if we can get the result that we want.”
READ NEXT:
Robbie Brady left smiling when talking about returning to Ireland squad
Return of Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey to Dublin a "mouth watering" prospect, says Robbie Brennan
LIV Golf rebel takes swipe at Shane Lowry over 'one for the good guys' quip
Mike Tindall's medals explained as former England rugby player wears three at Queen's funeral
Conor McGregor, Dee Devlin and kids in Dominican Republic hours before deadly hurricane hits
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
