Keith Treacy believes Jake O'Brien and Sean Dyche are "a match made in heaven" after the Republic of Ireland centre-half completed a move to Everton from Lyon.
Ex-Cork City man O'Brien has turbo-charged his career since moving from Crystal Palace to Lyon a year ago. He has been a massive hit at the French club, a string of towering displays endearing himself to Lyon's passionate supporters.
Having made his Ireland debut against Hungary in June, O'Brien's stock has risen exponentially, with West Ham and Ajax both interested in his services.
Everton won the race, and Treacy - who played under Toffees boss Dyche at Burnley - says it's a smart move.
"(Dyche) is very good at motivating you, wanting to do things," he said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"Anybody who has spent an extended period of time in a room with him, he just has that bit of charsima. My wife used to always say it about him, he has this presence.
"He walks into a room and he commands your respect, he commands your attention. Without even opening his mouth your eyes are just drawn to him. Maybe it's the ginger goatee or the gravelly voice, I'm not too sure, but you gravitate towards the guy. I think it's a match made in heaven I really do."
Treacy also talked up O'Brien's qualities, highlighting that he is much more than a tall, physical presence at the back.
"People are probably expecting me to say 'Jake is 6'6", aerial duels, he'll battle with people, physical'," Treacy added.
"He can do all of that, he'll tick that box for Sean Dyche because Sean Dyche does want that, but he can pass the ball as well. He's not a bad footballer.
"I was really impressed with him the two games I saw him play for Ireland (against Hungary and Portugal), the distribution into the midfield I thought was brilliant, although I don't think our midfielders can really handle that type of ball into them.
"He's 23 years of age. I do think it's a match made in heaven. I think Sean Dyche wil get the absolute best out of him."
Treacy went even further in his praise for O'Brien.
As Ireland enter a new era under Heimir Hallgrímsson, and some loyal servants creep towards the end of their careers, Treacy forsees a changing of the guard.
"I don't like doing this to players, I've always shied away from it with Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott and some of the younger lads, but at 23 and given the rise he's had, and having spoken to him personally, I think he's a future Irish captain," he said.
"That's not me kicking Seamus Copleman down the road - keep him around for as long as possible, his performances have proven he should stay around for a little bit longer.
"But I think Jake is a ready-made captain. His aura, the way he goes about it, nothing seems to faze him. I think he's a future Ireland captain and I think he's our No 1 centre-half now."
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