Louise Quinn believes the Republic of Ireland are ready to prove they can take games to Europe's elite after ending a brilliant UEFA Nations League campaign with an emphatic win against Northern Ireland.
The Girls in Green wrapped up a highly encouraing few months with a 6-1 victory that sets them up nicely for a huge 2024. Having comfortably won their Nations League group, Ireland will be in with the top seeds for the spring's Euro 2025 qualifiers, when a more expansive approach will receive its biggest test.
By then they'll have a new permament manager in place, but interim boss Eileen Gleeson has laid down the foundations for an ambitious squad to reach the next level.
"We are really setting some standards this year, getting to a World Cup, six from six here, but we know what we will be getting ourselves into," said Quinn, who chipped in with a fine headed goal against the North.
"That means raising the levels, a higher ranking as well when it comes to the Euros pot but we have set standards now, we have shown what kind of possession team we can be.
"It's about keeping it for slightly longer periods of time, getting that control when we are in possession, knowing when to turn them, do we go out, do we go out to go in. There's so much going on, but that's the fun of it."
The stats prove that Quinn and her central defensive comrades are playing very differently to how they operated under Pauw. Gone is the low defensive block that offered up possession and challenged opponents to break Ireland down.
Now, they start with a higher line that demands more control and running from deep. Caitlin Hayes [9,995m at home to Albania], Quinn [9,710m away to Hungary] and Diane Caldwell [9,693m away to Hungary] have clocked up more kilometres than most of the team.
It's a new approach that Quinn says will benefit them in the long run.
"It's about linking that in when we start playing teams that are ranked above us," she stressed.
"Yeah, it is a fine balance but now we can pick from so much, we have shown the variety now in terms of our play. Everyone does it with their club as well, this is modern football now, it is play, play, play and for us, we want to move forward with that.
"We can always do a little bit better. We are always trying to push for that, we are so motivated to always grow and push and get better. So we are just setting ourselves new targets all the time and if we are not willing to learn, we should just stop."
At 33, Quinn remains integral to this Ireland side. Brilliant in the air inside both boxes, assured on the ball and a natural organiser, she's been one of the constants throughout the last few years of progress.
The Wicklow native insists she's still learning though, with the arrival of Caitlin Hayes - who only declared for the country in September - having a galvanising effect on the back line.
"I am literally watching Caitlin and I am 'how the hell did she do that?' because she is brilliant on the ball and I want to be able to do that better, so that is something that I will be working on personally.
"She has just slotted right in and we have needed that since Niamh Fahey has had an injury as well and she's come in and she's brilliant. It is just a pleasure to play beside her and she has really stepped up to the mark.
"This is something that is new to her, international football and she has slotted right in, so it is a credit to her.
"We can always do a little bit better. We are always trying to push for that, we are so motivated to always grow and push and get better. So we are just setting ourselves new targets all the time and if we are not willing to learn, we should just stop."
