IT’S 9:36pm on a humid Tuesday night in west London.

Near the centre-circle of Fulham’s Craven Cottage, a young Australian has sunk to his hands and knees, having experienced first-hand the cruel nature of football.

Just 40 minutes earlier, the Victorian is in ecstasy, having handed his side a hard-fought lead. After surviving the warmest September day in Britain since 1911, Burton Albion are on their way to a first away win of the season, only to have it snatched from their grasp in the third minute of added time.

It’s a cruel blow for the Brewers, who are making their first appearance in England’s second tier. But for Jackson Irvine, the club’s record signing, it is another invaluable experience, one that is tinged with mixed emotions.

“It is the finest margins which can decide games in this league because it can be so evenly balanced,” Irvine told Fox Sports.

“After the game you think, knowing the injuries that we had, that you would be delighted with a point, but losing it so late, and in such a preventable manner, it felt like a loss at the time.”

Despite dropping two points, it has been a solid start to the season for Burton. They’ve lost only one of their past six games in the league to sit 17th in the highly-competitive English Championship.

“In this league, anyone can beat anyone. You look at the league table and on their day, any team has individuals that are capable of winning football matches”

“There is no reason why we can’t achieve something special. We’re probably five points short of where we should be, but at this level, you just get punished so swiftly and severely for mistakes”

“We are learning and progressing, and there is no reason why we can’t push on. People are expecting us to be in a relegation battle but our goal is to be top half and pushing higher.”

Pushing on.

Jackson Irvine of Australia Source: Getty Images

It is something that is becoming a trademark not just of Burton, but for Irvine himself. In his first nine games for the club, the Socceroo has netted an impressive four goals, already surpassing his best haul for a season.

“I’m playing in a slightly more advanced position than I have in recent years and the manager has given me that freedom. One of my best qualities is my energy and getting about the park.”

But while Burton’s record signing is relishing his role under boss Nigel Clough, he also understands that to survive in England he must be willing to take on other challenges. Against Fulham, the former Celtic youth product was deployed in three different positions, and while he is proud of his flexibility, he admits it hasn’t always worked in his favour.

“It’s something that cursed me a little bit, especially during my Celtic years, not being able to pin down one position. I’m happy to do a job wherever they need me to but yeah that flexibility probably worked against me a lot when I was younger.”

It is on the topic of Celtic that Irvine reveals one of the stranger moments of his career when, in 2012, he was dropped for a friendly with Real Madrid after refusing to cut his now-familiar long hair. The 23-year-old admits it was a disappointing decision, but says it will never tarnish his fond memories in Glasgow.

“The opportunities I was given, I couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing in football. I played my first first-team game against Inter Milan and as an 18-year-old that is invaluable experience.”

Jackson Irvine celebrates a Burton goal. Source: Twitter

“As a youth player, to be at a club like Celtic, you’ve got the best facilities in the country. I was fortunate that in my entire time there they were a Champions League club, but you know your chances are limited.”

The lack of chances, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. The Melbournian made 55 Scottish Premiership appearances during loan spells at Kilmarnock and Ross County, appearances which earned him a national call-up in 2013.

And while he would have to wait another two years to be selected for Australia, Irvine is becoming a more established member of Ange Postecolgou’s squad, having been part of the last two Socceroos camps.

Jackson Irvine of Burton Albion. Source: Supplied

“It’s so fierce. You know you have to keep scoring goals and playing well to even be considered. Mass (Luongo), Aaron (Mooy), Tom (Rogic) and Mile (Jedinak) have set the bar high, it means everyone is stepping up their game.”

“The recent call-up was the first time I had been called up consecutively. I’ve been in and out recently and you want to stay involved.”

So what of the expectations around this new crop of Socceroos starlets? Is there something special brewing? Irvine is the first to admit that the team of 2006 has set a standard, but believes it is time for Australia to move past the efforts of the so-called “golden generation”.

And part of our pre game, next in our "How they became Socceroos" series.

Jackson Irvine, that's him at 05 Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/ye8yqvBNo3 — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) September 1, 2016

“One thing I have found during my short involvement is this is about something bigger. It might not be us but it’s about setting Australia down a path where qualifying for a World Cup is not good enough, where getting out of the group is good enough.”

“Those guys in 2006 will be remembered forever for what they did for football, but now who’s the next team who can go onto quarter-finals. It can be intimidating but it’s what you want to do, you want to get that email every time to find out if you’re going to be in the squad.”

“I was there (at the 2006 World Cup in Germany) at the Japan and Brazil games as a 13-year-old and that’s the highest level in world football. That’s where you want to be and if you have the opportunity to get yourself there you will do absolutely anything.”

Socceroos Mathew Leckie celebrates scoring a goal with Jackson Irvine. Source: News Corp Australia

With five caps already to his name, Irvine’s path to Russia is starting to take shape. But while nothing is guaranteed, the former Frankston Pines youngster is producing the type of performances that could clear away the haze and make his journey a little clearer.

And with a Socceroos shirt signed by Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell hanging proudly on his wall, he is not short of inspiration.