Courtney Brosnan inspired by fellow Evertonians Tim Howard and Seamus Coleman

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan has two Everton heroes. One is Tim Howard, the commanding former USA No 1 who spent nine years at Goodison Park. The other is Seamus Coleman - a "special" influence who regularly offers words of encouragement.

Brosnan has been at the Toffess for almost two years now, arriving after her deal at West Ham expired. It's been an excellent move for the New Jersey-born 27-year-old, one that's helped her become Vera Pauw's first-choice stopper thanks to a period of considerable improvement.

She was immense throughout Ireland's succesful World Cup qualification campaign, making crucial stops at crucial times in the biggest games. Lest we forget, Brosnan made a brilliant penalty save to deny Scotland's Caroline Weir in the play-off at Hampden Park before Amber Barrett later poked home the winner.

"That just shows his character and how special the guy he is."

She's back on American soil this week to face the USA in two friendlies as Ireland ramp up preparations for the World Cup in July.

"I always looked up to Tim Howard," she said ahead of Saturday's clash with America in Austin, Texas on Saturday night [live on RTÉ2 from 7pm].

"He was a big one for me because I feel like he was one of the first US goalkeepers to make it over in the Premier League and over in Europe. I felt he was always someone I really, really looked up to.

"You got Seamus Coleman at Everton, he's obviously someone I've always looked up to as well. You can't really get two better role models, one on the Irish side, one on the American side, so it's pretty cool.

"Seamus is a great guy. I think everybody knows that and something that sticks out for me, when I got back to Everton after we beat Scotland and qualified, he was