Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski says making his Poland debut in Friday evening’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Nigeria in Wroclaw was his “biggest dream come true” and now he’ll do everything he can to keep his place in the squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Bialkowski says he learnt that he would be making his debut as a half-time sub the day before Friday’s game.
"[I found out] the evening before, Lukasz Fabianski and myself were told we'd play a half each,” he told Gazeta Wroclawska.
"Great stuff! It was my biggest dream come true. Now, I need to do everything to stay in the team as long as possible. This is how I see it."
The 30-year-old, whose last words to his father were a promise to get a Poland call-up, says there were no nerves: "No, if anything, there was this additional positive thrill. Wearing the Eagle on your chest is the highest honour for every Polish player.”
Asked his thoughts when Nigeria were harshly awarded their 61st minute penalty which was converted by Victor Moses, the visitors' only shot on target during the game, he said: "Maybe that it could be my chance to save it and shine in the debut? But then you know, every goalkeeper wants to save penalties.
"I knew he'd try to out-wait me. He watched my reactions on the line until the very end. It's a shame about the referee's decision but it's history now. We can't change it.”
ðŸ"ŒKONIEC MECZUðŸ"Œ
Przegrywamy 0:1 z NigeriÄ… po trafieniu Victora Mosesa z rzutu karnego.
Następny mecz już niedługo:
🇵🇱 🆚 🇰🇷, 27.03, 20:45, @StadionSlaski#POLNGA pic.twitter.com/9MYTO9Bukd– ÅÄ…czy nas piÅ‚ka (@LaczyNasPilka) March 23, 2018
The former Southampton and Notts County man admits he was disappointed that Poland lost the match.
"We were the better side and created a couple of really good chances,” he insisted. "We could have won the game.
"But we are still experimenting. It was only the third time we played with the three defenders. We're still working on it but it looked promising.
"Except for the penalty, Nigeria didn't create much. There were a lot of positives in our game but of course there were some negatives too.”
He says Poland’s three-man backline was familiar to him because Town have lined-up in a similar system of late: "I play like that very often in my club so it was nothing new to me.”
Bialkowski says there’s a good spirit in the Poland squad: "It was great. I had watched some video clips before showing how great the atmosphere in the team was. And I can confirm it now.
"There is a lot of joking around outside the pitch and everyone is happy to chat with everyone."
Quizzed on whether becoming a full international makes it more likely he might get a move into the Premier League, the Blues’ keeper, who is still to sign the new contract he agreed in January, confirmed that Crystal Palace were unable meet Town’s asking price when they showed interest during the last transfer window.
"It's worth having dreams and making them come true,” he reflected. "You never know when it will happen but you always have to help it happen yourself too.
"When I received a call-up, everyone was asking about me going to the World Cup but I have to be realistic, it's only been my first cap.
"Of course it would be huge to go to Russia. Everyone in the club congratulated my but I keep my head cool. Every footballer wants to play at the highest possible level.
"I too dream about Premier League but I owe Ipswich a lot. I won't be doing something at any cost and I won't put pressure on the club.
"But if the clubs make an agreement I will have to think things through, of course. I've still got one year [an option which Town are certain to take] left on my contract.
"I know Ipswich and Crystal Palace were in talks in January but the deal fell through as the clubs couldn't agree the fee.”
Poland, who will be in World Cup Group H in Russia along with Senegal, Colombia and Japan, face South Korea in another friendly in Chorzów on Tuesday with Bialkowski not expected to be involved.