After making his international debut for Republic of Ireland against Brazil on Tuesday, Wigan midfielder James McCarthy has paid tribute to Roberto Martinez for the impact the manager has had on his career.
McCarthy appeared as a substitute at Emirates Stadium as Ireland were defeated 2-0 by the five-time World Cup winners, with his debut for Ireland recognition for a season of progression at the DW Stadium.
McCarthy has long been tipped for greatness after making his debut for Hamilton aged just 15 and Wigan pulled off something of a coup when bringing him to the club in the summer. His development has been slowed by fitness problems but McCarthy has become a regular presence in the first team of late, starting eight Premier League games in 2010.
The playmaker is also eligible to play for Scotland but Ireland have welcomed him into the first-team fold and McCarthy is appreciative of the work Martinez has done to help advance his international claims.
"He constantly wants us to work with the ball and I think you can see that with the way we play," McCarthy told Soccernet. "I have played eight or nine games and I am absolutely over the moon with that. I just need to keep working hard in training.
"I'm really, really enjoying it. It's a great club to be at, with a great gaffer looking after me. I just need to keep working hard and keep my place in the team."
Liverpool visit the DW Stadium on Monday night and with the bigger clubs prone to dropping points this season, no more so than Rafa Benitez's side, McCarthy is hopeful of securing a shock result and aiding Wigan's battle against relegation.
"It's a massive game at home, at the DW, with a new pitch [recently laid]," McCarthy said. "It doesn't get much better with Liverpool coming. We have a new pitch so hopefully we can get the ball down and get one or maybe all three points."
