Tony Adams, who has known too often the heartache of shoot-out defeat, will demand a place among the spot-kick experts should England's Euro 2000 fate come down to penalties.
But it is not so much a case of the inspirational Arsenal skipper wishing to provide further evidence of his unflinching leadership qualities. Adams just wants a say in his own destiny.
'I think penalties will be needed again during Euro 2000,' he said. 'They are becoming more and more important and I intend to get involved this time. I've sat back for too long.'
Adams had to watch just a couple of weeks ago as Arsenal lost the UEFA Cup to Galatasaray on spot-kicks. And he was similarly powerless when England bowed to Germany at the semi-final stage of Euro 96 and to Argentina in World Cup 98. But not any more.
'I've been practising and one or two have gone in,' he said.
'We had five good penalty-takers in Euro 96 and Gareth Southgate was the sixth. They were all keen to do the job. I did offer myself but it was not taken up. The time is here for me to say it has to be me taking one now.'
The Arsenal skipper's intent is to savour every second of the remainder of his career - so much of which remains blurred by an alcohol haze.
And Adams represents the outstanding candidate to replace Alan Shearer as England captain when the Newcastle striker retires from international football after Euro 2000.
At 33 - four years older than Shearer - the Arsenal man has no intention of following suit. He insists he is fitter than he has been in years.
World Cup 2002 is on the horizon and he would like to be there. 'I'd dearly like to win something in the international arena,' he said.
'If you play long enough at the highest level you can manage to win most things. But I suppose you can manage to lose most things as well. Euro 2000 might just be our moment. It might just be the turn of England.
'I go into every single game thinking I'm going to win. If I didn't, I'd pack it all in and live in the South of France I'm really up for these championships.
'As many as six games in three weeks will present no problem to me. When I finish it will be completely. I'll retire from both club and country.
'For 20 years I've had to put football and my career first and foremost. But there is me and there is my family and very soon they will be getting my attention.
'A lot of sacrifices have to be made. It's a great life and when the major tournaments come around I would not rather be somewhere else. I'm enjoying every moment of it now.
'I have been involved in major competitions at international level from under-19 upwards and it gets to a point where something has to give.
'I have to watch my body but I pretty much know when I'm going to call it a day. The press and the country will tell me when my performances start to falter. They won't waste any time.
'I follow my heart and while this is presenting itself to me I'm going to grasp it. I consider myself to be a very fortunate human being. Not a lot of people get the opportunities. It has been given to me and I'm going to grasp it.
'I appreciate things so much more than ever before. That's what happens when you get older I suppose. I don't see Euro 2000 as my last chance of achieving success with England. But who knows?'
