Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is bullishly embracing next week's daunting World Cup qualifier double-header against France and the Netherlands, declaring: "This is where we want to be and we believe we deserve to be".
Brosnan was injured for the impressive Nations League promotion/relegation play-off defeat of Belgium back in October, a success that hoisted Ireland into League A as one of the top 16-ranked teams in Europe for the qualification campaign.
France (ranked seventh in the world) are in Tallaght on Tuesday; then Carla Ward's side head to Utrecht to take on the Dutch (ranked 11th) four days later.
These are big occasions which demand big performances, but Brosnan - who recently penned a new deal with Everton - is confident the Girls in Green have what it takes.
"As I've said and loads of the girls have said before, this is where we want to be and we believe we deserve to be," she said at FAI HQ on Thursday.
"We want to be playing these games against the likes of France and the Netherlands. I think, in terms of the squad, we’re always working hard. Yes, there’s been changes, people have retired. But I think the full focus is, when we’re in here, everyone’s doing the best that they can to be prepared for each game and take those as it comes.
"I've been really lucky in my time here to have unbelievable friends and goalkeepers to work alongside."
"There’s always room for improvement, 100%, from everyone. I think it’s great that we, as a squad, know that and everyone is continuing to do their best and to try and push forward, because we’re going to have to keep making these improvements and steps forward if we want to keep competing against these teams."
Brosnan, 30, admits it was "really difficult" to miss both legs of the Belgian play-off due to a knee problem, but took genuine satisfaction in seeing loyal back-up stopper Grace Moloney step up to the plate. Sophie Whitehouse, the other member of Ireland's "goalkeepers' union", later got a long-awaited debut against Hungary in a behind-closed doors friendly in Marbella.
"Being a goalkeeper, it's so unique that it's really important that you're able to rely on other people in the goalkeepers' union," Brosnan said.
"I've been really lucky in my time here to have unbelievable friends and goalkeepers to work alongside, obviously in Grace and Sophie. We're always pushing each other to be our best and they're so supportive of me and the same vice versa, I love to be supportive of them. It's great to have them."
It was a coup for the Toffees to tie down Brosnan (above) until June 2028 given her stock is so high in the WSL.
There's no question other clubs would have been monitoring her situation, but Brosnan is content on Merseyside, her ties to the city exemplified by her involvement in coaching the 10 young girls who've been chosen by the 'Everton in the Community' charity to represent Team England at the 2026 Street Child World Cup.
"Me and one of my team-mates Katja (Snoeijs) have joined the initiative," added Brosnan. "It’s been really special to form a relationship with those girls, with their journey to go to the World Cup in Mexico (in May).
"We talk to them a lot about nutrition, or being away from family, going away to different places. A lot of them have never been out of the country or anything like that. For them to have us as mentors, to ask questions, has been really cool."
On her new contract, Brosnan admitted: "It's always a big decision when you're making decisions about your future and where you're going to be and things like that. But I try to just focus on my performances and focus on what I can control and show up every day and put my best foot forward, whether it's here or for Everton.
"I think that good things will happen. I'm really proud of the journey that I've been on with Everton. They are excited to keep me on board as well so I'm excited to continue that."
Brosnan has a new pal to hang around with now Denise O'Sullivan is on the books at Liverpool. The Cork midfielder helped the Reds to a 2-1 FA Cup win against Brosnan's Blues last Sunday, but there's certainly no lingering resentment.
"It's great to have her close. To have more Irish girls around is unbelievable. As I said, we're such a close team and things like that. I'm really excited for Denise and it'll be nice to have more friends to get coffee with on the weekends for sure.
"Everyone's excited about what we're able to achieve in terms of the past World Cup and the results against Belgium. We're doing everything that we can to prepare the best that we can for these games and continue to push forward because we know this team has a lot more to achieve."
Watch Republic of Ireland v France on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on an extended Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
