TIME was when Alan McLoughlin might have heard a fellow member of the Irish squad bemoaning a propensity for acquiring splinters on his rear from too much time on the substitutes bench. In which case, McLoughlin could have borrowed the time-honoured Pythonesque response. "You were lucky."

He did, it is true, acquire a reasonable share of the above, for 12 of the 18 caps McLoughlin won under Jack Charlton were as a substitute. But it came to the point where even that was a bonus, for 18 caps was a paltry return for six years of almost continuous squad duty.

Charlton, and Maurice Setters, appeared to regard trips to the south coast outposts of Southampton and Portsmouth as the footballing equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle. Ironically, McLoughlin's stock seemed, if anything, to fall after THAT goal in Windsor Park which took the Republic to USA '94, which almost veered from "the greatest moment of my life" (on the night) to an irritating monkey on his back.

"I enjoyed that (goal). You'd be daft if you didn't. The consequences that came along were superb. Whereas before I came along expecting, or looking maybe, or praying more likely, for a place on the bench, now I'm looking to be pushing for a place in the team."

Stirring up old embers is not a particularly pleasant experience, suffice it to say that an utterly frustrated McLoughlin was considering not bothering to make the journey anymore.

"I think it's well publicised that did get down, and possibly thought about not coming in the future. I seriously did think that way. Whether I would have carried it through or not I don't know but the thoughts were there."

In the event, a change (of manager) was as good as a rest and a famine has gradually become a feast.

Accordingly, given his chance in Mick McCarthy's third game as Irish manager at home to Portugal, McLoughlin has won seven caps in the last seven games. By contrast, the 29-year-old midfielder had never started two successive internationals under the former managerial regime. Hence, he is not inclined to start counting unhatched chickens.

"I've got a new lease of life now. But I take nothing for granted. I've learnt that from the past and I've turned up every time for the last six years wanting to play for Ireland. I'm just pleased with the progress so far.

"That's good for me and that's good for everybody else. Possibly a few of the other lads who thought they had their place secure maybe month in, month out, have to look over their shoulder now.

That's not just me, but there's a lot of kids coming through, pushing everybody. It's good that there's pressure, that it's competitive. I'm glad to be a part of it and I hope to be a part of it right through to us hopefully qualifying for the World Cup."

For this reason, McLoughlin feels he is under even more pressure now than he was when granted fleeting appearances from the substitutes bench. Although he still comes across as a very genuine and slightly introverted person, he is more relaxed and sure of himself in the new set-up.

"Playing seven times has given me confidence and I've taken that onto the pitch so I'm grateful to Mick. I think I'm a better player. More experienced, 29 now. With a few games under my belt I feel confident now. I don't worry about playing. I'm just looking forward to the game."

McLoughlin, like many, is wary of the next step on route '98, the relatively unknown quantity that is FYR Macedonia. "We've got to get three points. They're a difficult team. We watched them on video and they're skilful, they close down well. They're a lot tougher nut than Liechtenstein. But if our attitude is right and we give 100 per cent and the crowd get behind us then I'm sure we'll, hopefully, get the three points."

McLoughlin may be asked to fill more of a holding role in the absence of both Ray Houghton and Roy Keane, with Jason McAteer and Andy Townsend afforded greater freedom to roam forward alongside him.

As more of a two-footed player, he has already performed this duty for McCarthy.

"Yes, I have, and I feel confident in it. I've just got to hold the reins but it doesn't stop me getting forward. If I'm playing out of position then somebody else will have to hold for me but I'm confident of playing anywhere really, whether it be on the left, the middle or the right. or whether it be up front. I don't really mind. It's nice to be playing."

Some tickets for tonight's match can still be acquired from Shelbourne FC at their offices in Tolka Park.