Jack Byrne needs to be a team player too, even though his eagerness to improve has pleased Mick McCarthy.
Byrne will win his second Ireland cap tonight when he starts the friendly clash with New Zealand.
The playmaker caught the eye on his debut when coming on as a sub to turn the Bulgaria friendly Ireland’s way in September.
But he was left kicking his heels on the bench for last month’s disappointing Euro 2020 qualifying draw away to Georgia in Tbilisi.
And in Switzerland three days later, the Shamrock Rovers man was left out of the final match day squad altogether.
So while the newly crowned PFA Ireland ‘Player of the Year’, 23, gets another chance to shine tonight, he has work to do to feature against Denmark on Monday.
McCarthy said yesterday: “There's a massive improvement in him. Not with the ball because that’s not going to improve. It’s the other side of his game.
"We watched the training back yesterday and a couple of things caught my eye.
"He was clearing one at the far post and making a challenge and making sure the player did not get in.
"Then he's making a tackle further up the pitch which he didn't do when he came in first of all. Didn't do it, not at all.
"He's fabulous on the ball and wants to show you how good he is on it.
“But against Denmark or Switzerland, how often are we going to have the ball and how often do you have to chase and tackle?
"With the amount of time I have with him, I cannot improve him on the ball because he is fabulous. But he has got to be part of a team.”
McCarthy was at the FAI Cup final to scout Byrne in action against Dundalk and liked what he saw.
And against New Zealand tonight, Byrne's instructions are simple.
“I want him to do what he does with Shamrock Rovers which is to get hold of the ball, pass it, create chances,” added McCarthy.
“He keeps the ball moving, he recyclies it for others and doesn't give it away. His free kicks, corners, deliveries are good. His penalties are excellent.
“It's not Denmark by any stretch of the imagination but New Zealand are treating it as a big international game and for Jack it will be, to showcase what he's got.
“He's got lots. Whatever he has done at his club, he has done far, far better than since he was here in March. He has bought into that, so I’m delighted."
