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Michael O'Neill paid special tribute to Conor Bradley's humility in what has been an impressive start to his football career.
The Liverpool right-back may have only played 71 games for the reigning league champions so far but he's already racked up four major honours in that time. It was just a few months ago that the Northern Irishman added a Premier League title to his two EFL Cups and one FA Cup triumph.
A month after winning the league, Bradley was rewarded with a new long-term contract, illustrating his importance to Arne Slot's squad, especially with the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Bradley started the season as the Reds boss' first choice right-back and despite a difficult start to the campaign, he kicked off the season with a man-of-the-match performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Amid all the accolades and praise that Bradley has been subject to, the Northern Ireland boss admitted he's remained the same person from his teenage years, even with the success he's earned.
Speaking before their World Cup qualifying clash against Slovakia, O'Neill said: "I think the one thing about any young player who comes up and obviously plays for a club like Liverpool is that they don’t change.
"That’s the biggest compliment I could give Conor since I’ve known him from when he played in our Under-16s, watched his progress, watched him play on loan at Bolton and what he has to do now to play at a club like Liverpool.
"We don’t have many players that come through and play at that level. We had Jonny (Evans) at Manchester United and had Steven (Davis) at that level. We don’t have it as often now, which is the nature of the Premier League.
"So I think that’s always going to make him an iconic player and an iconic sportsperson in Northern Ireland. The most important thing is how he handles the whole thing and he hasn’t changed.
"I see the boys in the hotel and he gets as much stick off the other lads as any. He’s very much one of the lads. He has leadership qualities and the most important thing is how he plays at the end of the day which is on the front foot leading by example. That’s a huge asset to have as an individual player."
Unfortunately for Bradley, he couldn't stop his side from losing 1-0 in Kosice with Tomas Bobcek's late goal clinching all three points for Slovakia. Due to the defeat, Northern Ireland can longer directly qualify for the World Cup but will be in the play-offs thanks to topping their UEFA Nations League group.
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