Derby County's Richard Keogh spoke proudly after making his 600th English career appearance and topping it off with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
The central defender, who has been an ever-present for the Rams this season, reached the impressive milestone and put in a man-of-the-match display to earn all three points against the Latics.
Whilst the Rams fell behind in the first half against the run of play, two second half goals from Mason Bennett and Scott Malone secured the vital win and Keogh was delighted that he could mark the landmark in style.
“It is great that Scott Malone managed to get the goal there at the end to help me remember it a bit better,” Keogh told RamsTV.
“I know how hard that is for any professional player to play one game. I know what they have to give up and the drive they have to have to play one game, so if you told me as a young kid I would reach 600, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“I have got a little bit left in the tank yet so hopefully I can get a few more. It is something I am really proud of and one I will remember for sure.
“It was just nice that we could get the win and I couldn’t have asked for much more really. The most important thing for me was winning the game and that was all I focused on so it was just the icing on the cake to know it was my 600th game.
“It’s nice for me that more than half my games have been at this club and it is special that I have played so many games for this fantastic club.”
There is a real togetherness amongst the players, and that was evident when the winning goal from Scott Malone nestled in the back of the net.
“We showed great character to come back and there was a bit of relief in there as well after the run we have been on to get the three points,” said Keogh. “Wigan are a good, tough team and they made it difficult for us.
“I thought we started the game brilliantly. The goal was against the run of play but we showed that togetherness.
“When you show that and you never give up then you give yourself the best opportunity. I think in the end we deserved it, we were really trying to go for it and it was a great three points.
“It was an incredible goal from Mason Bennett to get us level too. He has done so well when he has come on and he is such a great guy. He has been unlucky with injuries but he has proven this season what an important player he is for this club.
“With his pace and his power, when he has not started the game he has come on and really impacted games and I am really pleased for him. It was a little bit behind him and I think he thought he had to try something. I think if you asked him to do it again he probably couldn’t. He has go great athleticism and it was a great goal.”
The three points sets the Rams up nicely for Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday, the second of four consecutive home fixtures.
“It is massive to keep going now,” Keogh said. “We have got 11 games left and this was the start of a four home game period for us which we got off to a good start.
“The fans were fantastic tonight, they really got behind us and were sucking the ball in at the end probably a little bit. It is a big performance for everyone connected with the football club.”