Seamus Coleman says the Republic of Ireland have to end a difficult 2018 on a positive note.
It is a year now since Ireland lost 5-1 to Denmark in a World Cup play-off – a result that began a trying period for the Boys in Green.
Ireland have a chance to gain some revenge on Monday when they take on Denmark in the Nations League in Aarhus.
“It was a tough night, that one, at the end of last year and we need to go there and put it right,” Coleman said.
“But when our backs are on the ropes sometimes, that’s when we’re at our best.”
The Killybegs man was recovering from a leg break at the time of that play-off, but is back in action now ahead of a friendly against Northern Ireland.
He said: “Hopefully we can get a good result against the North and bring that into the game against Denmark and finish this year on a positive going into what is going to be a big qualifying campaign.
“I was going well before I broke my leg and then it happened and there’s nothing you can do. But the last couple of games, I’m feeling back to myself and any time I don’t play well, I’ll not be using my injury as an excuse.”
At club level, Coleman has stayed loyal to Everton, who plucked him from Sligo Rovers in 2009.
Coleman is 30 now and wants to end his career at Goodison Park.
He said: “You can look back and people can say you need to push on, you need to win things, you need to go to the top.
“But Everton brought me from Sligo, they’ve been good to me.
“I was never close to going. There was interest from numerous teams but I never looked for a way out.
“Whatever went on between clubs went on, but I’ve always been happy at Everton. Everyone is different.
“Loyalty is not really a thing anymore as such, but for me I feel good there, I feel they have done a lot for me. I know football, maybe five or ten bad appearances and fans, the media, they’ll be wanting other players in. That’s the way it goes.
“But for me, Everton is where I want to be. I have never looked for a way out of Everton.”
