Last time former Southampton striker Marian Pahars found himself pitchside at the Aviva Stadium, it wasn't a particularly happy occasion for him nor for his country.
The Latvia legend was managing his national team back in November 2013 on what was a notable staging point for Irish football.
It was the opening night for the Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane era as the high-profile management team took charge of the Boys in Green for the first time.
"I remember 10 years ago, it was a different speed, a different quality and I don't want to remember that game to be fair because they demolished us 3-0," Pahars quipped to RTÉ Sport pitchside at the Aviva Stadium as Latvia completed their training session on the eve of Wednesday night's friendly between the two sides which will be live across RTÉ platforms including RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
The 46-year-old, who scored 15 international goals in 75 caps for Latvia between 1996 and 2007 and was part of the squad for their only major tournament appearance at Euro 2004, is currently one of the assistant coaches to current manager Dainis Kazakevics - a role he is relishing due to the focus on pitch work - as well as being a technical director of their football federation.
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He is hopeful that his country, who have earned promotion from League D of the UEFA Nations League, can give a better account of themselves this time than they did in 2013.
"I hope we made some learnings out of that game and we expect a better game tomorrow and we expect (it to be) tougher for (Ireland)," he said.
"Obviously we will do our preparation and I hope we're going to get something out of that game."
As for Keane, Pahars didn't just come up against the former Ireland captain on the touchline of an international friendly but regularly shared the pitch whenever Southampton and Manchester United clashed during his Saints spell, which ran from 1999 to 2006.
Indeed, one of Pahars most memorable goals came at Old Trafford when he nutmegged Jaap Stam before firing past Massimo Taibi during a 3-3 draw back in September 1999.
While Denis Irwin started that day for United, Keane was not involved but retains an elevated place in Pahars' esteem.
"He's an absolute legend everywhere in the world, in Ireland especially," he said.
"But I only can say (I have) a big respect for him and what else can I say, he's a hero in Manchester, he's a hero in Ireland.
"I met him in one conference post-World Cup or Euro when I was head coach of the national team and he's a top man."
Like Ireland, who meet France next Monday, Latvia are using the friendly to prepare for the start of their own Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a trip to Cardiff to face Wales first next Tuesday.
But one player they won't have to worry about will be Gareth Bale.
Pahars was a starter for Southampton when the recently-retired Welsh great Bale made his debut for the club as a 16-year-old against Millwall in April 2006 and certainly made a lasting impression even at that age.
"I remember when he was a kid and you just saw the potential. Amazing! His stamina, his speed, his quality on the ball... I remember when he was training with the youth team and we were passing after our (first team) training with the boys and we saw him making actions on the field and we already thought at that time that this guy is exceptional."
Given how close Southampton is to Pahars' heart, he keeps tabs on their performances and Ireland and Saints' goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is one who he has kept an eye on in what has been a difficult season for the club amid a Premier League relegation scrap.
"(He's) inexperienced obviously but overall great technique and I think he has a bright future."
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Watch Republic of Ireland v Latvia in an international friendly on Wednesday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On
