EVEN by Andy Robertson's surreal standards, a week in the life of Hull City's precocious defender has taken some believing.
After inspiring Scotland's crucial 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland last Friday, named man of the match in an absorbing Euro 2016 qualifier, the 20-year-old was able to celebrate his first international goal four nights later with an unforgettable strike against England.
Wayne Rooney's clinical brace eventually diluted Robertson's big moment as Roy Hodgson's men ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at Celtic Park but the significance of this international break endures.
City's secret is out. Although the £2.8m summer signing from Dundee United had turned heads during a fearless start to life in the Premier League, the impact made with Scotland has admirers standing to attention.
Ex-Premier League star – and now radio pundit – Stan Collymore summed up the growing excitement by declaring the "Rolls-Royce" Robertson would be a "Champions League player within four years."
Steve Bruce has been another in awe of Robertson's rapid development. Such has been Bruce's delight at signing someone he believes is one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League, his only concern is keeping feet on the ground.
Bruce, however, need not worry. Ahead of a potential return to the City side against Tottenham tomorrow, Robertson is retaining the most level head of all.
"My face was all over the back pages after the goal so people were staring a wee bit more but you don't take any notice of it," said Robertson on how life is changing.
"Mum and Dad are brilliant and my brother as well, they keep me level headed. My friends too. When I go out with them they're protective and take you away from football which is what you need because it can get on top of you. They look out for me in case anything goes wrong."
There appears to be little prospect of that, even after becoming the talk of his home nation when excelling in only his fourth and fifth caps.
Ask Robertson about his goal, a sweet move that saw passes exchanged with Johnny Russell and ended with a crisp drive low past England keeper Fraser Forster, and he spends as much time talking about his failings as a defender. His appetite to improve is insatiable.
"There's a lot more to come," Robertson said. "Some people have had criticism of me defensively, they're happy with my attacking but not so happy with my defence. I know I can do better on that and hopefully it will come soon.
"I'm self critical. I know I need to improve so I look at that, not the aspects that I'm happy with in my performances.
"Probably a normal person would just be happy to score against England but the first two goals I should have done better.
"I would swap that goal for a clean sheet any day of the week. I've always been like that. You might get ahead of yourself if you always look at the positives, there's always negatives and it's important to pick that out and work on it."
The setting for the latest additions to Robertson's highlights reel was particularly fitting. As a young teenager on schoolboy forms with Celtic, the defender was regularly a ball boy for the club he idolised as a youngster growing up in nearby Clarkston.
Robertson was released by Celtic as a 15-year-old, a decision that becomes more embarrassing by the week, but that backward step has since been followed by a series of enormous leaps.
One year of senior football with Queen's Park in the Scottish Third Division won him a move to the SPL with Dundee United, before 12 months at Tannadice was capped with a big-money move south as Scotland's Young Player of the Season.
Robertson's meteoric rise already has some City supporters wondering if his one-season trend is set to continue. Arsenal have already been linked with a £10m move in the January window but he laughs at the suggestion of moving on so soon.
"I've only just moved into my house here, I'm happy," he said.
"I'm just stepping into the squad, I'm not looking to move any time soon.
"It's nice if people are saying that because it shows I've done well but I'm not looking to go anywhere.
"My focus is on Hull and doing well for them this season, securing the Premier League spot and then climbing the table."
One reason to stay is clearly Bruce. Robertson speaks in glowing terms of both the City boss and his Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.
"Both of them help keep me level headed," he said. "The gaffer here has been brilliant since day one. He helped me move in, helped me settle in to the squad and that always helps.
"Maybe If I was working under another manager it might not have happened so smoothly. He's been there to talk to me since I walked through the front door.
"The Scotland manager checks in on me too. I'm working under two great managers."
Robertson is also working alongside a talented team-mate in the battle for the left wing-back slot. Since missing the trip to Liverpool last month with a minor injury, the Scot has been forced to watch Robbie Brady fill the void.
Brady's week was not too shabby either. Scoring two goals in the Republic of Ireland's 4-1 win over USA on Tuesday, he and Robertson have provided Bruce with a huge poser for Tottenham's visit tomorrow.
"Me and Robbie get on great," said Robertson. "I was injured against Liverpool and he took his chance.
"I want to play but he did brilliantly. Since then he's put in great performances. I get on really well with him and I'm delighted to see him do so well but hopefully I get back in the starting XI.
"If it comes along that we play together I've got confidence it can work, we've got a good relationship and that helps on the park."
