THERE is a line in the film Trainspotting where the main character Renton exclaims after a steamy encounter with the opposite sex: "I haven't felt that good since Archie Gemmill scored against Holland in 1978!".
If I'd been in his shoes, the phrase would have been: "I haven't felt that good since Mark Wright scored against Egypt in 1990!".
These days, international matches, particularly England, tend to bore me to tears – unless it's the World Cup or Euro finals.
But they take on a whole new importance when among the line-up is a player from your club.
For Derby fans, the 1990 World Cup finals were particularly special because you had not one but two Rams players in the England team – central defender Mark Wright and goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
And when the former rose up and scored a crucial header in the 1-0 win over Egypt in the group stages of Italia 90 this particular Derby County fan went absolutely berserk.
That tournament, Wright and Shilton played a starring role in England's tournament, which ended when Chris Waddle skied his penalty over the German crossbar in the semi-final shoot-out.
I remember the first game at the Baseball Ground after the World Cup and both Derby players got a hero's welcome from the Rams faithful.
Meanwhile, later that season when we played F*rest, their left-back – and now manager – Stuart Pearce, would be greeted by chants of "Psycho lost the World Cup" after he missed a penalty in that same shoot-out.
But will the day ever come again when a Derby County player pulls on an England shirt in a major tournament?
Yes, we have had players line up for the under-21s. And there is a potent argument that Will Hughes might go on and play for the first team – but whether that is as a Derby County player, only time will tell.
In the meantime, I'm finding myself becoming an avid follower of the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and to some extent Northern Ireland.
Take the Scotland squad named for its Euro qualifiers, which take place today against Georgia and on Tuesday against Poland.
There are three Rams players in their ranks: striker Chris Martin, midfielder Craig Bryson and defender Craig Forsyth.
When the Republic of Ireland squad was named for its matches against Germany and Gibraltar it also boasted three Rams players: central defender Richard Keogh, midfielder Jeff Hendrick and striker Connor Sammon (currently on loan at Ipswich Town), though the latter was later cut from the final party.
And, of course, not forgetting striker Jamie Ward who was named in Northern Ireland's squad to take on the Faroe Islands and Greece.
On paper, there's not a lot to stir the blood of an Englishman with fixtures like Scotland versus Georgia, Republic of Ireland against Gibraltar and Northern Ireland versus the Faroes.
But I'm sure there will be many Derby fans looking out for our boys – cheering them on and hoping none of them pick up any injuries!
Of course, at one time Derby had a plethora of players representing a diverse range of countries in major finals.
I remember the 1998 World Cup in particular. You had central defender Christian Dailly lining up for Scotland, full back Jacob Laursen for Denmark, Rams captain Igor Stimac for Croatia and midfielder Darryl Powell and striker Deon Burton both playing for Jamaica.
So, as well as the England games, that tournament I had an interest in the fortunes of four other teams.
But, alas, there were no Derby County players in the England squad in 1998 – and I don't think there has been in a major tournament since 1990 with Shilts and Wrighty, though Seth Johnson managed a solitary appearance in a friendly against Italy in 2000.
I'm sure down the years there are many Derby County players who have pulled on an England shirt.
And there may be some Rams players who we feel should've been given a chance in the national side but never were.
Of course, we currently have a manager who had the top job with England – and I can certainly think of at least one former Rams manager who should have been given a shot at being England boss!
So, I suppose this week I have two questions for my fellow Derby County fans.
Who was the best Derby player to pull on an England shirt? And I'm not talking about the likes of Steve Bloomer, I mean players you've actually seen play.
And who are the Derby players who should've played for England but never got the call?
