Alan Browne has lauded Ireland manager Stephen Kenny for sticking to his guns, and the Preston North End midfielder believes that he has been rightly rewarded with a new contract.
Kenny was finally handed the reins of the national side all the way to Euro 2024, despite a torrid opening 12 months in the job, after the Ireland manager turned things around in the second half of 2021, with a string of fine results to close out the calendar.
Ireland went six unbeaten since that dramatic night in Portugal when Cristiano Ronaldo broke Irish hearts, and while the most unfortunate Kenny had every right to be cursing his luck on that particular night on the Algarve, in essence, the game has proved a real turning point in his tenure.
The crowds came back in their droves to support the Boys in Green as Ireland matched both Serbia and Portugal at Lansdowne Road, while enjoying comprehensive victories over Luxembourg, Azerbaijan and Qatar, scoring ten goals in those three victories.
And now Kenny has a clear run at qualifying for the European Championships in Germany in 2024, and Browne believes that it was all of his own making.
"I think credit to the manager, he stuck to his guns," said Browne, speaking to the media on Monday.
"He stuck to what he wanted us to do and it is a long process, he came under a lot of criticism at first but it is starting to look up now with performances and results, which is the most important thing. Long may that continue.
"It looks like we've turned a corner. Every credit to the manager, and getting the fans back onside with us, that connection there amongst ourselves and the fans has been evident with ticket sales going through the roof, you can see that.
"So hopefully they’re taking to the new brand of football and the way that we’re trying to do things, and things are looking good for us.
"I think it’s always important to have fans on our side because they’re the ones going through the gate to pay the money to watch the football."
On a personal level, Browne was quick to admit that he was not happy with his football over the last year for both club and country, however, he feels that he has a lot more to give and is encouraged by his club’s recent return to form.
"Probably disappointing overall at club and international level, but I think they go hand in hand," said Browne when asked to sum up the past year on a personal level.
"It’s obviously been frustrating for me, in and out with Covid, injuries, but I’m looking to turn the page now hopefully play more, and stay away from Covid for a while now.
"I’d just like to do my best at club level and take that form into the international set-up, there is a massive competition for places especially in the middle of the park so when I’m here, I’m here to play.
"I think that I've a lot more to give, especially at this level and hopefully we can see that over the next couple of months."
Coming into the prime of his career, approaching 27, Browne still harbours ambitions of playing in the top tier of English football, the Premier League.
"Personally it's an ambition of mine, to one day get there. I'd like to do that with my current club, Preston, if it's elsewhere then so be it, I'd give anything to play at the top level, that's where every player aspires to be.
"I haven't done it yet, I'm 26, pushing 27 and there's not a lot of time left, it's not something I have focused too much on, just stay in the moment, play my current football which is in the Championship, do my best for my club and see where that progresses."
And looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Browne is relishing the challenge of testing himself against a formidable side like Belgium, and he expects the world number one team to be full of quality despite travelling with an understrength squad to Dublin.
"Of course, they’re number one for a reason," said Browne.
"The talent they’ve got is absolutely incredible, most of their players play in the top divisions around the world and we’re looking forward to the game."
Follow the Republic of Ireland v Belgium this Saturday (kick-off 5pm) via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
