Ireland have adopted a more direct style of play, which has benefitted everybody, according to Damien Delaney.
Almost a year after their embarrassing defeat to Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers, Stephen Kenny's side scored twice to draw with the number one ranked side in the world, Belgium.
The goals from Chiedozie Ogbene and Alan Browne were two of twelve goals Ireland have now scored in their past five games.
While Stephen Kenny's initial bedding in period as Ireland boss will be remembered for the lack of creativity in the side, they have now struck on a balance that works, according to former Republic of Ireland player Damien Delaney.
"I think he has come away from his 'total football' play, there's definitely more directness.", Delaney told Off The Ball.
"And by the way, that's brilliant, I think that's great."
🗣️ "Seamus still has a huge role to play for Ireland - on and off the pitch."
🗣️ "He's still an incredible player."
Damien Delaney still thinks Seamus Coleman has a key role in the Irish set-up 🇮🇪
⚽️ with @SkyIreland pic.twitter.com/90n6g24i19— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 28, 2022
"He's utilising Ogbene's physicality and his power, and his pace running in behind. Callum Robinson gave us at the weekend, a real direct threat."
"He's got direct players who are going to run in behind. He's put players in the team who are running in behind. We're not turning down those opportunities when we get them."
While getting more out of the attackers, Delaney has also seen a resurgence in form from the midfield players under Kenny's management.
"I think Jeff Hendrick is in the middle of a renaissance. I don't think I've ever seen Jeff play as well with the ball, even when he was playing at his peak at Burnley."
"I'm seeing a level of composure in Jeff's play now where he's playing a couple of passes into pockets, he's sliding balls out the side and picking people out. There seems to be a nice little thing happening at the moment.
Praise flows for Ogbene
Meanwhile another senior Irish player has heaped praise on Chiedozie Ogbene.
The sum of his efforts at the Aviva saw Ogbene rewarded with the man of the match accolade, and his captain Seamus Coleman saying, "First and foremost to me, credit to his parents for the way they brought him up. He's an absolute star.
"Great lad around the place, respect, manners. He's happy to be here and working hard. An absolute diamond.
"You can see he would do anything for his country by the way he performs."
A lot of these attributes were of no surprise to Egan, who was briefly a teammate of Ogbene's during their time together at Brentford.
The Corkman joined The Bees from Limerick in 2018, but managed just nine appearances - and a loan at Exeter - before bouncing on to Rotherham 18-months later.
"I was there when he signed," Egan said of their short time as club teammates, "So I already knew what Chio was all about before he came into the [Ireland] squad back in the summer.
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