Shane Duffy has hailed his Brighton team-mate Aaron Connolly as a big game player and is backing him to star against Switzerland tomorrow.
Mick McCarthy is considering elevating the man of the moment to starter status after his eye-catching cameo off the bench in Georgia.
Ireland will secure automatic qualification if they manage to topple the group's top seeds in their own backyard.
But while the Swiss are reeling following their narrow defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday, the Boys in Green have it all to do.
Connolly could have won the dour Tbilisi game at the death but was unable to convert two late chances that fell his way.
But while Irish fans are getting their first glimpse of Connolly at the highest level for both club and country, his ability is no secret to Duffy who sees it every day.
The Derryman - who made a quicker than expected recovery from a calf injury to star in Tbilisi - said of a Swiss start for Connolly: “No problem for him. He’s mature for his age.
“He’s playing in the Premier League and you’ve all seen him against Tottenham. He thrives off big moments, he thrives off big games and that’s what he wants.
“He loves scoring goals and he always will, whatever level he plays at and hopefully for Ireland.
“But you can’t put too much pressure on him, he’s only a kid and he’s played three or four games in his career.
“So let him ease into it and hopefully in five or ten years time, we’re talking about a great player.”
Immediately after Saturday’s 0-0 draw in the Georgian capital, Connolly insisted that he would not let the hype surrounding him go to his head.
And as one of Brighton’s most experienced campaigners, Duffy is taking the Galway teen under his wing.
Duffy continued: “He’s been brilliant and I’m looking after him. He’s a great kid. I’m just trying to keep him settled, keep his feet on the ground.
“I’m delighted for him because it’s been coming, I’ve been working with him now for two years and he’s been unlucky not to be playing more with us.”
But it will be hard for Brighton boss Graham Potter to ignore Connolly for starting roles from now on having delivered in style against Tottenham last weekend.
He smashed a brace on his first Premier League start - his fifth top flight appearance this season - which in turn led to his elevation from Irish Under-21s to senior.
“That’s him in now, he’s got a big future ahead of him,” added Duffy. “That’s not to put too much pressure on him, he’s only a kid so let his football do the talking.
“He’s got everything ahead of him. I love him to bits and hopefully he can do it for us as well.
“Against Georgia, I thought he made the difference when he came on and I don’t like playing him in training every day!
“But I think you have to be patient with him, let him grow into it. He’s only had one start in his whole career in league football but the future is bright for him.”
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