Damien Duff has been hailed as one of the best players in the world following another inspired display for the Republic of Ireland last night.
The Blackburn winger scored the 17th-minute goal which beat Norway at Lansdowne Road to give manager Brian Kerr a victory in his first match in charge on home soil.
Under former boss Mick McCarthy, Duff was deployed up front alongside Tottenham's Robbie Keane, but was given a free role in midfield by Kerr as he used the friendly to experiment.
Sunderland winger Kevin Kilbane played alongside Duff and saw how much the alternative formation benefited the team.
"I think we created a few chances and Damien was on fire," said Kilbane. "He had more freedom to play off the front two and play in that little hole.
"His pace and skills are frightening. Norway are top of their group and a quality team and Damien made them look like mugs.
"He produced a performance on that pitch which shows how good a player he is. He is getting better and better and the older he gets the wiser he will become," the Sunderland player said.
"Give him another couple of years and he will be up there will the world's best, although he is already in my opinion."
With Duff back in midfield, Keane was partnered by Wimbledon's David Connolly, and was happy with the service the strikers got.
He said: "We did that a few times at under-age level and it is a good opportunity to get Damien on the ball and turning and linking-up with myself and Dave. It worked out well."
Ireland had cause for a double celebration as not only did they mark Kerr's first home game with a win, but their Euro 2004 qualifying hopes were boosted by Georgia's 1-0 victory over Russia in Tbilisi to leave Group 10 wide open.
Kerr's side can close the gap on the leaders by beating both Albania and Georgia when they visit Lansdowne Road in June.
Keane added: "We are definitely back on track. It was a good result and hopefully that will lead us now in to the next two games coming up.
"Lansdowne is always a tough place to come and we make it hard for teams. Against Norway it felt like the Lansdowne of old and we need to continue that now."