PAUL McShane is aiming to live out the peak years of his career with Hull City and finally banish the demons of a nightmare spell at the KC Stadium.
The Republic of Ireland international continued his brilliant run of form for Steve Bruce's side when scoring his first goal in City colours for almost four years to seal a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
A remarkable turnaround in fortunes has seen McShane transformed from a peripheral squad member to a new fans' favourite in two short months back in the first team.
The return to prominence is just reward for the 26-year-old's persistence after a miserable two-year period in City's wilderness, but McShane is setting his sights ambitiously on more.
"I'm really enjoying myself at the minute," he said. "The last two years have been the worst of my life.
"I'd only played a handful of games for Hull in that time but I always felt that I'd come to an age where I'm coming towards my peak.
"Your late twenties, early thirties, are probably when you're at your peak for a centre-half. I'd love to be here for that.
"I've always been willing to learn and I feel as though I've got some good experience behind me.
"I'm not Franco Baresi all of a sudden but I'm doing all right at the minute, I just want to keep that going and push for promotion."
After starting just 14 Championship games in the Tigers' previous two seasons and forced into loan moves with Barnsley and Crystal Palace, McShane has seized his opportunity under Bruce when lining up in 10 of the last 12 games.
A succession of whole-hearted performances have cemented a place in City's three-man defence and fully justified his decision to fight for a future in East Yorkshire.
"I did think my Hull career was over," he admitted. "I never wanted to leave Hull but I felt I might have been forced to.
"I've got a list of clubs the length of my arm now and I've never wanted that. It's just the way my football journey has worked out.
"Sometimes you do ask 'Am I going mad, here?'
"I always felt I should have had chances but, for whatever reason, they never came.
"I've just got to keep looking forward. I've spent too much time talking about me not playing because if you keep looking back, it can weigh you down."
McShane's new-found cult status was confirmed on Saturday as he pounced from close-range to earn a valuable victory over Forest. After Robert Koren's opener from the penalty spot was cancelled out by Billy Sharp's spot-kick, McShane bundled in the winner 21 minutes from time with his shoulder.
Although Forest appealed for handball, there was no denying McShane his first City goal since he memorably scored in a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in December 2008.
"It definitely wasn't a handball. I'd tell you if it was, it came off my chest and shoulder area," he added.
"It was a big game for us and we needed three points. We should be up there at the end of the season."
CITY have been drawn at home to Leyton Orient in the third round of the FA Cup.
