The Sheffield United man, who says he is fit enough to play a full 90 minutes against Slovakia in today's World Cup qualifier (4.30pm), may have some way to go before he catches his country's most capped player (Pat Jennings: 119) but there's no doubt the winger has been a valuable servant at international level.

While he hasn't played any football for United recently, his brand remains a strong one over the water.

The Irish Football Association declares: "There is no doubting Keith Gillespie is one of the stars of the Northern Ireland team. "

In fact, the Larne-born winger has been around the international scene for 14 years.

The one-time Manchester United and Newcastle United player made his debut for the Irish in September 1994 (a 2-1 home defeat against Portugal.)

As a greenhorn 19-year-old, he produced a brilliant strike against Austria in his second appearance, although he has netted only once since.

Gillespie picked up his 50th cap in a 2004 defeat in Greece. And the player, who has been at Bramall Lane for three years, went on to play an important role in their 3-2 Euro 2008 qualifying win against Spain at Windsor Park, two years ago.

The Irish FA proudly says Gillespie, aged33 "has plenty of football left in him yet".

In July, though, he was injured in a pre-season Blades' friendly at Bury and has yet to make Kevin Blackwell's 2008-09 team-sheet.

Yet he insists all is well.

"It is pretty easy to maintain my enthusiasm for Northern Ireland," he says.

"Anyone who pulls on the green shirt is proud to do so. I just want to play for my country as long as I can. I've had a frustrating month with the injury but am over it now.

"I have had five or six days' training and the ankle feels fine. I can do a full game, if needed."

Northern Ireland are aiming to progress towards the World Cup 2010 in South Africa after finishing third in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Gillespie is delighted at the way the province's luck has changed for the better in the last two years.

He continued: "It is nice the way things are going. The confidence is high as we have a good mix of young and experienced players.

"We have to produce the football we did in the majority of those Euro qualifiers and eradicate the mistakes.

"If we can do that then we will have every chance of qualifying for a major championship for the first time since 1986."

Gillespie knows, however, if they are to achieve their ambition they must set the tone in their opening match.

With the Czech Republic next up in Belfast on Wednesday, he added: "It is important we get off to a good start. That is a must.

"My feeling is we can beat anyone at home - just look at our results against England, Spain and Sweden. It is just our away form we have to improve on."

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