Vera is the bravest woman on our team - Louise Quinn

Louise Quinn has hailed Vera Pauw as "the bravest woman on our team" ahead of the Republic of Ireland's huge World Cup qualifier against Finland on Thursday night.

In July, Pauw revealed that she'd suffered abuse and serious sexual assault during her time as a player and coach in Dutch football.

She informed her players before releasing her statement, and has spoken about the enormous support she's since received from the squad, the FAI and the Irish public.

Veteran defender Quinn admitted the players were shocked, saddened but ultimately hugely proud of their boss in the wake of the revelations.

"It was one of those things that's very difficult to hear from someone you are so close to in a camp, but for me, how she has handled herself as a person... so brave, so composed," said the Birmingham City centre-half.

"Because it is now on her, she now has to go to the media, and it is so personal.

"It is extremely tough. She was composed, she was brave, she was strong, she is going to help a lot of people.

"We’ve obviously had our chat with Vera. It was all the same stuff. We’ve come together as a group, but we just all let her know as the group or as individuals that what she's done is one of the bravest things. It sets an example.

"She says she’s still the same Vera but a better Vera and... for her personally that is amazing."

Quinn said the outpouring of support for Pauw from the Irish people made her feel proud, adding: "It doesn't surprise me, but you love to see it.

"She doesn't have her Irish passport but she feels that support coming from every angle and for her, from the way the FAI handled it, the way she spoke to us as a team, then the outer circle of the public, that's where you feel, where you hope people will be OK.

"It