‘I can’t take my eye off the ball now, but by Christmas I’ll be singing songs with my friends about going to the World Cup!’

From preparing for tomorrow’s FAI Cup final after Thursday’s European clash in Athens, to lifting a fifth title in six seasons last week, to last month when he helped his Cape Verde side secure qualification for next summer’s World Cup, the milestones haven’t just been on the pitch as he and his wife also welcomed their first child, Diego, last month.