Side by side at the press conference top table Stephen Kenny highlighted James McClean's approach to the game as a shining example to the younger members of the Ireland squad.
Since taking over the role of the national team manager two years ago, there has been a real emphasis on youth and the string of young players who have been introduced by Kenny.
The manager came from the Under-21 position and wasted no time bringing the next generation through to the senior set-up as players like Adam Idah, Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott, Andrew Omobamidele and Jason Knight became regulars in the squad set-up.
More recently, players like Nathan Collins, Chiedozie Ogbene and Festy Obosele have all been assimilated into the squad, while Michael Obafemi returned from a four-year absence.
Granted the manager was probably forced to fast-track some of these players as a result of the Covid crisis throughout the latter stages of 2020, yet Kenny appears to have blended the youth and experience to establish a very balanced and cohesive squad.
Players like Seamus Coleman have always been referenced in regard to their welcoming nature, while Shane Duffy and John Egan are the other two players who are considered the leaders in the squad.
However, Ireland have travelled to Poland to face Ukraine without all three as Coleman is injured, Duffy is suspended, while Egan travelled home awaiting the birth of his child.
McClean, it would appear, is next in line after that experienced trio, and while he joked that the chef probably had a better chance of getting the captain’s armband, it was clear of the mutual respect between player and manager, who have a relationship dating back to their days at Derry City.
"I think Dave the chef will get it before I get it!," said McClean, when asked was he going to be captain for the game, off the basis that he was selected for the pre-match press conference.
But McClean said that confidence levels in the squad were high after the bounce-back victory over Scotland, adding that the intention remains to win the Nations League group, which seemed out of reach after the opening two loses.
"Off the back of the Scotland game, the mood in the camp has been lifted massively," said McClean.
"The two games before that were not the results that we wanted. We went into this camp in confident mood fancying our chances in the two games.
"We were disappointed with the results, but Scotland has been a massive lift. We are looking forward to this game and if we win, we are on six points and right back up there in terms of winning the group."
As part of the older generation in the squad, McClean is enjoying his front-row seat watching the young players emerge, and is in no doubt that the team will just get better and better as they gain valuable international experience.
And McClean added that he had been impressed with the resilience that the young players have shown, especially in the face of defeat, which shows the quality of character that is also being introduced into the squad.
"It’s very exciting," said the Derry man, when asked about the invasion of youth.
"Obviously, they are showing the ability and potential that they have. The more experience you get at this level the more their ability will be enhanced.
"I think the future is bright, which is obviously a nice thing and I think you saw it last Saturday - Nathan Collins at the back, the shift Jay Molumby put in in the middle of the park, and if you look at the second and third goals, you can see what Troy and Michael can do.
"It is obviously very pleasing. It is just nice to be here and see that day in day out and see potentially what they could go on to be.
"Confidence can be a bit low coming off the back of two defeats, but young lads are resilient. They just look forward to the next game.
"As senior lads, we're here if they need any guidance, but they play with no fear. We've got a good set of youngsters here who have good character about them. They'll be alright."
At which point, the manager made a point of interjecting to add some insight into the relationship between the two and the obvious high regard that Kenny holds McClean in.
"I've known James for a long time, managing him as a young player," said Kenny.
"Even when I took over as manager of the senior team I thought James was losing half a yard. He had a foot injury at the time, it was tough for him when he was at Stoke, I thought that James maybe, he could still be effective, but he was on a decline.
"It's incredible the level…if anything he's got quicker over the last year and it's down to this rigorous training regime that he has.
"He was unfortunate coming into camp that he'd only played one game in eight weeks. He had two injuries, a knee injury and then a thigh injury after coming back to play in the last game.
"To get to the levels he's got to is just phenomenal, it's a great example to the young players because the longevity in his career is due to his absolute commitment to his physical condition."
McClean, naturally, was asked what had he added to his regime to help with the aforementioned physical improvements, and while he said that he spends a lot of time in the home gym, he has also found a pastime that is both beneficial to his wellbeing as well as something that he has developed a real passion for.
"I love my boxing," said McClean. "So I do a lot of boxing. I enjoy the gym work as well. It’s my release, kind of….whatever pressures or frustrations I have….it’s a way for me to release all that.
"I’ve taken up boxing, which I’ve enjoyed. That’s a bit of a passion of mine. That goes hand in hand with that, and doing something I enjoy."
The press conference ended quite abruptly as McClean was asked about how proud he was of the recently unveiled mural on the walls of Derry.
"Yeah, let’s wrap it up there," said McClean.
Follow Italy U21s v Republic of Ireland U21s (Tuesday, 4.30pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 4pm
Follow Ukraine v Republic of Ireland (Tuesday, 7.45pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 7pm.
