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John O'Shea is confident Manchester United team-mate Darron Gibson has the mental strength to make it on the senior international stage.
The 21-year-old midfielder was handed a shock start for the Republic of Ireland in last month's World Cup qualifying victory over Cyprus, with the luckless Steven Reid having being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni later admitted the youngster had initially found the going tough, but was impressed with how he coped just days after being elevated from the B squad.
O'Shea has seen Gibson develop during their time together at Old Trafford, and while he knows he still has a lot to learn going into tomorrow's friendly with Poland, he is convinced he has what it takes to go all the way.
The defender said: ‘I have known about Darron for a long time so I know his ability and what he can bring to the team.
‘Hopefully he will get another chance on Wednesday to show what he can do.
‘He's from Derry and sometimes people think he is quiet, but he is not as quiet as he looks.
‘He's a good, strong character and hopefully, with experience, he will be able to show himself a lot more and get the confidence.
‘It's such an important position, central midfield, and it will take a bit of time for him.
‘The last game in particular, it's tough to come in to a game like that, but he handled himself quite well.’
Gibson is one of a new crop of youngsters pushing for recognition at United under the watchful eye of Alex Ferguson, the man who has nursed the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, as well as O'Shea, through to the first team.
O'Shea said: ‘It's just people having faith in you and having belief in your ability. The manager has always believed in Darron's ability, and he is getting a few chances now at the club as well.
‘Hopefully, he can build on it.’
O'Shea, 27, has started five of Trapattoni's six games in charge - he only missed out on the first against Serbia in May because of his delayed arrival in the wake of United's Champions League success - and has firmly established himself as Richard Dunne's central defensive partner.
The first phase of the Italian's reign will draw to a close with the final game of the year against the Poles, and few could argue over his impact so far.
O'Shea said: ‘It's been positive. A win in Montenegro would have been nice as well, but we can't complain, really.
‘It's a tricky game, Poland, but it's a good chance for us to build on the confident start we have had to the group.’
