Vratislav Gresko has warned his Slovakia team-mates to beware the threat of an in-form Damien Duff.
Gresko knows how dangerous Republic of Ireland winger Duff can be following their time together at Blackburn.
The 29-year-old initially joined Blackburn on loan from Parma in January 2003 before signing a permanent contract in the summer of that year. However, in December 2004 he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Further knee problems and the fact he fell out of favour with boss Mark Hughes led to Gresko failing to play in the 2005-06 campaign before being released when his contract expired last July.
Now with FC Nuremberg, Gresko is part of a Slovakia side looking to end the Republic's run of three successive victories when they meet in a Euro 2008 qualifier at Croke Park tomorrow.
In the absence of striker Robbie Keane who serves a one-match ban, Gresko sees former Rovers team-mate Duff as the main threat.
"I know Duff, he is a great player and I respect him," said Gresko on the 28-year-old who produced one of his better Ireland performances of late in Saturday's 1-0 win over Wales.
"We played together at Blackburn before he went to Chelsea, and I feel he is one of the best players on the left side. He is very dangerous. If he has space then he can decide a game on his own."
Gresko is certainly paying no heed to the fact Ireland's displays recently have been poor, even if they have been picking up points, drawing stinging criticism from all quarters.
"We know Ireland lost to Cyprus and came close to an upset against San Marino, but they beat Wales," added Gresko, who can play left-back or left wing.
"They are a strong team and they will try to show this against us. If they win tomorrow then the situation will change for them.
"You can criticise the performance, but at the moment it is not important to play well. It is important to take the points."
Coach Jan Kocian, who only took charge late last year following a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Group D leaders Germany, believes Ireland are a different proposition at home compared to their troubles on the road.
"After their win over Wales the Irish has some self-confidence," assessed Kocian. "They are also on home soil, and they are stronger there than away from home, so we don't care about the result in Cyprus or anywhere else.
"We have to analyse their performances at home. We know the weaker and stronger sides of the Irish team, so have prepared our players to react to that."
As Kocian builds a new young team, his squad is without overlooked Rangers striker Filip Sebo and veteran midfielder Miroslav Karhan.
Another striker in Marek Mintal is sidelined again after breaking a metatarsal for the third time in 18 months, while defender Martin Skrtel and midfielder Matej Krajcik are suspended.
