Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has welcomed being likened to AC Milan star Rino Gattuso.

The comparison was made by Whelan's Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and the midfielder told The Sentinel: "To be compared with a player like that is great confidence-wise, especially coming from the manager.

"Saying that, if I play badly in the next game, that could all go out the window.

"Coming to meet the squad for the first time, you do want to impress. You want to catch the manager's eye and stay there.

"Hopefully, that's what I have done. I'm here on merit, but I know that if I'm not doing the business, there are other players out there who will come in and take my spot."