Katie McCabe's six-word response that delighted Ireland boss Carla Ward
Carla Ward says Katie McCabe has got her Champions League celebrations out of her system and is ready to fire Ireland to three Nations League points away to Turkey on Friday.
Arsenal star McCabe played a huge part in the Gunners' backs-to-the-wall win over red-hot favourites Barcelona in Lisbon last weekend.
And she clearly enjoyed the aftermath of the famous victory, including an event in front of over 10,000 fans in London.
McCabe touched down in Dublin on Tuesday and was given a hero's welcome at the squad's Castleknock Hotel base, before they flew out to Istanbul.
Straight away she assured Ward that she was ready to turn her attention to the difficult challenge of steering Ireland to a first-place finish in their Nations League campaign.
Ward told RTE: 'Katie's a pro. You never want anyone to not celebrate such a massive, massive win and important moment in her career.
'It was about her enjoying those celebrations but she's a professional, she's fit, she's ready.
'Maybe a question mark on her calf at the moment... but she's said to me straight away, 'I'm ready, I want to play', so of course she's available for selection.'
Ward hailed McCabe's performance in Lisbon last weekend, saying: 'She was unbelievable. I thought they all were. I think tactically they got the game plan right.
'Katie's Katie - you know what you're going to get. She's wholehearted, she's front footed, she's tenacious, she gives you everything.
'Her overall performance was outstanding but credit to Renee (Slegers), the team and all of them involved because it was some achievement.
'As soon as Arsenal won that game the talk (among the Ireland players) was, 'how do we welcome them back?'.
'It's safe to say Katie was pleased. (It was) a really positive evening when she came in. Delighted to have her back and unbelievably proud of what she's achieved.'
For Ireland to clinch top spot, they will need all six points away to Turkey and against Slovenia in Pairc Ui Chaoimh next Tuesday.
Slovenia have maximum points from their opening four games, are three points ahead of the Girls in Green, and have the huge advantage of a 4-0 home win over Ireland if first place is decided by a head-to-head tally.
First up is Turkey, and they gave Ireland a few frights on their visit to Tallaght Stadium in March, a game that Ireland won 1-0.
'That first game, we've looked at it and whilst we had a lot of the ball, we didn't do enough with it,' said former Aston Villa boss Ward, reflecting on her first game in charge.
'Since then we have. We've increased a lot of the numbers we wanted to. The team is starting to grow.
'Turkey are a good side, and they know if they beat us and beat Greece they can finish second.
'Let's be really clear, this is a must-win game. We have to go and get three points. We have to make sure we're switched on, we're focused and we get the job done.'

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