Damien Duff is not one to reel off bland cliches during his post-match media duties.
Every question is digested, chewed over and responded to with intense honesty and, often, disarming humour.
Having watched his side win the curtain-raising President's Cup with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of ten-man Drogheda United at Tolka Park, Duff was asked to assess the performance of Mipo Odubeko, the 22-year-old former Republic of Ireland underage international who arrived in the winter.
"He's a real threat, he's an athletic freak and he’s going to score goals, plain and simple," said Duff.
"He's been a pleasure to work with throughout pre-season. Like I’ve said, I love when players make that bold step or leap to come here. Kerr (McInroy), Ellis (Chapman), Mipo – there’s obviously been a few more that have been here for maybe a few years and become League of Ireland players. This is their adopted home. But Mipo was excellent."
Odubeko bashed the Drogs back line around with the help of the equally physical Sean Boyd. The pair formed an old-fashioned front two partnership that has the potential to reap serious rewards this year. Indeed Duff believes he might have the best attacking duo in the country on his hands, though every compliment the manager dishes out tends to come served with a reminder of who's boss.
"I have to be careful what I say because I don’t want them two thinking they’re the two lion kings around this place," he added.
"Our systems change and we don’t always play two strikers but for sure when we play the two of them up top, granted Mipo can pop down more and out to the sides, is there a better duo in the league? Possibly not.
"I'm happy. It’s another proud experience, It’s good to hear the national anthem at Tolka Park, it’s good to have more silverware at Tolka Park. The sending-off kills the intensity of the game, but outside of that it’s another trophy. Brilliant."
Odubeko's display in particular will excite the Shels faithful. There was plenty of interest in his services when he decided to move on from Fleetwood Town, but the Reds won the race. What they've acquired is a very talented young player with a high ceiling. Odubeko has all the qualities to give the reigning champions a new dimension.
"If we speak about players in this league, I've not seen a striker being as athletically strong, quick and powerful as him," said Duff.
"You might be able to hit me with someone but he’s a beast and whatever stats as in top speed and all, there is more. Whatever you’ve seen tonight, there is absolutely more, he’s exciting. Scary for opposition but exciting for us.
"It’s up to me, staff, the players, to drag it out of players. But here we’re talking about Mipo but it’s the same with everyone. Boydy, I think we’ve consistently more out of him. That’s what we do, go through all the players, we get blood out of a stone.
"Paddy Barrett, 50 kids I believe he has, he’s in his 30s now and playing the best football he’s been playing in his whole career. Ganno (Seam Gannon), a League of Ireland legend, probably the happiest he’s ever been. I like to think we’re good with players. We’re firm, we’re hard but we care for them and ultimately we try and get the best out of them."
The real business starts in six days' time when Shelbourne welcome Derry City to Tolka for the first game in their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title defence.
They looked fit and sharp on Friday night. And any crumb of complacency will be identified by a manager desperate to claim a second league crown on the bounce.
"If you come off one percent, we won’t win the league," Duff warned. "If you come off a half percent, you won’t win the league. We won't win anything.
"So here I smelt a real energy off them tonight. That’s pleasing, just as pleasing as the trophy and having the President here and the national anthem. That was a proud moment."
