England new boy Rickie Lambert admits nothing will prepare him for the experience that awaits him in Kiev for Tuesday's vital World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
Pundits were quick to jump on Lambert's selection for the Scotland game as a sign of the lack of squad depth at international level.
But the Southampton hit-man has proven in the last two games that he can cut it on the international stage.
Lambert hopes all the talk of his stint working at a beetroot factory 13 years ago will now subside and give way to proper respect for his abilities as an England striker.
"I was a little bit annoyed with all the talk about that, but I understand that's my life, that's my past, so I understand people are going to bring it up," added Lambert.
"It's good to show to people that it can happen. I just want to impress."
That said, Lambert is still struggling to come to terms with his rapid rise through the ranks.
"I scratch my head and think 'I'm playing for England', it's very surreal," the Southampton striker said.
"I do it all the time. I'm playing with the players I've looked up to all my career.
"It's beyond any imagination what's happening at the minute, but I'm trying to stay cool, I'm trying to do what's important, and that's trying to do well when the kick-off starts."
