Ex-Ireland coach Kevin MacDonald left Aston Villa under a cloud in August following allegations of bullying made by a number of former young players.
Derrick Williams, the Blackburn Rovers defender who is on duty with Ireland here in Tbilisi, was coming through the ranks at Villa at the time.
But the Waterford man was ‘disappointed’ to see how MacDonald’s time with Villa ended, insisting he worked wonders for his own career.
Williams said: “Kevin Mac was brilliant for me, him and Tony McAndrew. I owe them a lot, not only because of the player I am but the man I am today.
“They were really good. I enjoyed playing for them both so I was a bit gutted for them.”
Asked if their approach raised eyebrows at the time, Williams continued: “They were a bit old school but I wouldn’t say it was bullying.
“If you did something wrong, they would tell you. I thought that was perfect for me. And that’s what made my step to leave Villa easier.
“When I went to first-team football and someone gave me a bollocking I was used to it You know it’s never personal.
“They got me ready for first team football and that’s what they are there for.”
When Robbie Keane signed for Aston Villa, a photograph of the club’s Irish contingent circulated.
Standing behind a Tricolour were Keane, Shay Give, Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland.
So too were youngsters Graham Burke, Mikey Drennan, Enda Stevens, Danny Devine and, amongst others, Williams.
But he chose the leave Villa of his own volition, determined to play first-team football elsewhere.
And he has no regrets having dropped down the leagues with Bristol City before returning to the Championship with Blackburn in 2016 and now Ireland.
“I’d been offered a new contract but there were a lot of players two or three years ahead of me who I felt were going to block my way forward,” said Williams.
“Nathan Baker, Ciaran Clark, Enda Stevens was there, Joe Bennett, a lot of players and I wanted to drop down, one step back to make two steps forward.
“I wanted to make a name for myself and that was the right decision because I’ve played over 250 games now and I don't think I'd have done that if I'd stayed at Villa.
“It was a difficult decision at the time but I backed myself. There comes a stage where you can stay and sit comfortably, be in squads and travel.
“Or, you can back yourself and say 'let's have a go'. You have to back your own ability at some point.
“If I'd stayed at Villa I don't think I'd have played as many games, or got as much experience.”
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