There is no doubt that Glenn Whelan is a tireless worker in midfield, but some aspects of his play have been criticised by observers of the Irish team.
One person who does appreciate the Stoke midfielder's contribution is his former club colleague Asmir Begovic, who will face him this Friday in Zenica.
Speaking ahead of that Euro 2016 playoff first leg, the Chelsea and Bosnia goalkeeper told the Independent's Dion Fanning of what Whelan brings to the teams he is in.
"To the naked eye, and the uneducated football fans, it's difficult for them to understand his role, but he keeps the team ticking over. He's the guy who is the disciplined one, who'll sit in front of the back four, do the dirty work that people don't appreciate at times. He's made a whole career out of that and that's why he's been so valuable to teams," he said.
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