He played for Ireland for 14 years and won 110 caps but the most fulfilling moment for Kevin Kilbane still comes every time he is thanked for his service.

It’s not that he’s continually reminding anyone who will listen of his career highlights, but rather that Irish supporters who were born and raised abroad see him as someone who almost validates their connection to the country.

Crowned as the unofficial ambassador of the foreign-born Irish, Kilbane is extremely proud to carry that title. And it is why he feels so strongly about players choosing their international allegiances only for the right reasons.

“They’ve got to show desire to come in. They have to want to come and play for us. Once you’ve committed to us, I don’t think there is any way further down the line that you start to want to miss games in favour of playing for your club,” said Kilbane.

Other country

“If I look at some of the boys that I played with over the years, Gary Breen, David Connolly, Alan Kelly, they felt that playing for Ireland was the biggest thing in their life. They never had any desire to play for any other country and I certainly felt that I was in that sort of bracket as well.

“We’ve had a lot of English-born lads who have played for us, but they have showed a desire to want to come and play for us. Even go back to Andy Townsend, Tony Cascarino, and Ray Houghton, they wanted to be part of the squad, they wanted to play for us.”

Born in Preston, Kilbane was brought up in an Irish community and only ever wanted to pull on the green jersey – in spite of strong interest from England. He understands that others may not feel as passionate as he did, but believes that international football still carries tremendous honour.

It is 50 years since Shay Brennan became the first foreign-born player to line out for Ireland and in the last two decades alone 57 different players have followed his lead – making up an incredible 39 per cent of all players capped at senior level during that period.

From Brennan to Houghton and through to James McCarthy, supporters have long appreciated the loyalty shown by players who have been desperate to strengthen their bond with Ireland. Yet it is those who flirt with other international teams who muddy the waters.

Some would argue that Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish falls into that category. Despite playing for Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, he has yet to shut the door on England. The same cannot be said for the newest member of Martin O’Neill’s squad: Harry Arter.

“I do understand that some people may have their doubts over an English-born player getting called up, but I can only give 100 per cent and prove that I have a passion to play for Ireland,” said Arter, who first pulled on the green jersey at under-16 level.

Should he get to feature in Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland, Bournemouth midfielder Arter would become the fifth foreign-born player to be capped by O’Neill, following on from Rob Elliot, Cyrus Christie, and David McGoldrick.

Figures from the last 20 years show that the recruitment of foreign-born players dipped for a period before shooting back up again with the last five managers adopting varying policies: Jack Charlton (14), Mick McCarthy (14), Brian Kerr (4), Steve Staunton (5), Giovanni Trapattoni (16).

Tread carefully

O’Neill has been open about his intention to add to that pool should he find the right type of player, but it’s an area where the Ireland manager must tread carefully. Staunton can certainly warn him of the pitfalls having capped US-born Joseph Lapira before he had even kicked a ball professionally.

It’s an issue that will always trigger debate, but 46-times capped Kevin Sheedy – who was born in Wales – believes there is more pressure than ever before for new recruits to win the supporters’ trust.

“He [O’Neill] is obviously trying to get the best players for Ireland and the rule allows him to do that. I think once you’ve played for a country for youths up to under-21s, I think that’s your eligibility gone really. Once you’ve made that statement, you’ve made your choice,” said Sheedy.

“I know Jack [Charlton] when he first took over, he used the rule to bring in John Aldridge, Ray Houghton and they were great servants to Ireland and were involved in the best success that Ireland has had up until now. So Martin is using that rule to get the best players available, so we can qualify for the next major championship.

“The passion that [we] had, we were giving it everything for the green jersey. We were passionate from the first time that we played for Ireland. You can’t just come along to play international football, you’ve got to say: ’Right, I’m totally committed and this is what I want to do.’ Then that’s fine and that’s the way it’s got to be.”