Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has lauded Shane Duffy's return to form at club level and the way he persevered during difficult times on and off the pitch over the past year.
The Irish international defenders, and former team-mates at Everton, are part of Stephen Kenny's squad for the triple header of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting with Wednesday night's away trip to face group favourites Portugal.
Duffy comes into the game in good form for Brighton, having started all three Premier League games this season and netting a goal against Watford after returning from a difficult loan spell at Celtic during the last campaign.
But speaking during Ireland's pre-match press conference in Faro, Coleman praised how his defensive colleague overcame the obstacles that have come his way.
"Firstly, as I said to you in the summer, I'm not one bit surprised," the Everton skipper said of Duffy's on-field renaissance.
"He’s made of different stuff. Similar to myself, he’s gone through a tough schooling with Dave Moyes. That’s one where you get your head down and get on with it. That’s what he’s done.
"I touched on it the last time that no-one understood the hard times he had last year, including the loss of his father. He’s took the Celtic loan on the chin and came back fully focused.
"His attitude never dropped, never changed and I’m delighted. I think a lot of Irish fans are delighted by his start to the season at Brighton but the main thing is I’m not one bit surprised because he’s made of different stuff."
Coleman also intends to continue leading by example for his country in this crucial week of World Cup qualifiers.
The 32-year-old full-back is conscious of the need to help to school a new generation of internationals in what it means to pull on the green shirt.
As he does so, he will recall the lessons he was taught as he took his first steps on the international stage under the watchful eyes of the nation's golden generation.
Coleman said: "Straight away, someone like John O'Shea pops into your head - over 100 caps, modest, humble, never complained about anything in training.
"If things weren't right, he just always got on with it and for me, that's a model professional who I learned a lot from, from looking up to him.
"Then you had Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Shay Given, all massive names in Irish football, but the pride they had when they put on that shirt, you just knew it.
"You would be in a team-talk with Robbie Keane and you could just feel the pride coming from him before the game.
"It was just a great school for me to come through, Kevin Kilbane and people like that, just really proud and really honoured to come away and be part of their national team.
"Ultimately it's up to you as an individual to take that on board and to realise the opportunity you've been given, and I was delighted to learn from those lads."
Keeper Gavin Bazunu, 19, and 22-year-olds Dara O'Shea and Jayson Molumby have forced their way into Kenny's plans in the last year, but Coleman has already seen enough in how they and some of their fellow youngsters have conducted themselves on and off the pitch to believe they have big futures ahead of them.
"You just need to keep your head down, work hard every day, never take anything for granted, never think that you've made it and keep grinding every single day," he said.
"If these lads coming through do that, then I'm sure they'll go on to have great careers for club and country. From what I've seen so far, everyone is so happy to be part of this group and very honoured, and long may that continue.
"Ultimately then it's just about making sure that we get results on the pitch as well."
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