Damien Duff doesn’t mince his words when comparing the National team to the League of Ireland

"It is bigger, better, more exciting."

Duff who played most of his football in the Premier League for Newcastle, Chelsea, Blackburn and Fulham, also represented Ireland in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Now a manager in LOI, the former flying winger admits that he is glad that the international break is over, so the league can start again.

"It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend. The last two weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football, is not the national team but the League itself," declared Duff.

"It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday, nothing else."

The Reds are setting a strong pace with five wins and a draw to suggest a title challenge, but Duff is keeping his players on a tight rein.

"The message to the players is stay grounded, humble and keep working hard. The minute we come off who we are and let ourselves get carried away, in any sport that’s when you’re in trouble,’ he said.

"What we need to do is just continue to be true to who we are, keep working hard, we’ll be on the right path."