Onwards and upwards ... Robbie Kruse has become a key Socceroo. Source: Khalil Mazraawi / AAP
Holger Osieck is deep down a very proud German, and has a very high opinion of the Bundesliga.
So when he says that one of his young attacking talents in the Australian side is also "one of the best" in Germany's top tier, a lot of people take note.
But Robbie Kruse has got other reasons to be proud, because in his own words he saw how close his career was coming to the brink and hauled it back.
To make it even more impressive, he did it through what was effectively a year of cold turkey reduced to a bit part role at a club in a country where he knew nothing of the language or culture.
But like Osieck also says, those who come through that are the tough nuggets who can push to the top. And so Kruse isn't just playing every week in the Bundesliga, he's starring in a Fortuna Dusseldorf team that's fighting against relegation but determined to win or lose with all guns blazing.
Kruse and James Holland joined Fox Sports' Sunday Shootout program ahead of the Socceroos' clash on Tuesday. Check it out, in full, in the video at the top of the page.
It's a steep ascent from the days at Brisbane where three years ago he was jettisoned for the bad attitude and habits that seemed at risk of killing the promising talent.
"Moving to Melbourne Victory after the Roar, it was a good step for me but even then I don't think I was 100 per cent focused on football," Kruse admitted.
Where will Kruse finish in the Socceroos Power Rankings? Return on Tuesday for the top 10.
"I always thought I had a lot of talent, and probably I relied on that a bit too much. Moving to Germany, it's opened my eyes to how hard you have to work. It's the little things that make a difference, so I work really hard at training.
"The Germans are really strict on their training methods, there are no short cuts and mentally it's tough too. It's helped maximise what talent I've got and improve all the time.
"I've seen what I can do now, and want to keep pushing myself in the hope that I can move up to better and better teams.
"It's a wonderful place to live, Dusseldorf is a beautiful city with plenty to do. The fans are great and there's not a lot my girlfriend and I have to complain about.
"I've come a long way but I wouldn't change anything, because I learnt a lot along the way. What I went through made me realise I couldn't jeopardise my football now.
"Everyone makes mistake when they're young and I'm happy I came through it. A lot of people don't and they realise too late, I'm lucky."
Kruse says he wants to help keep Dusseldorf in the top flight, then assess his next career move - a move to one of the powerhouses in German football seems a common assumption there.
More pressing is the need for Australia to take three points from Oman tomorrow night, in a World Cup qualifier where Kruse will have a vital role to play.
"(Osieck) stuck by me last season when I wasn't playing much for my club - it would have been easy for him to leave me out of the squad but he continually chose me and gave me a lot of confidence," Kruse said.
"It's every kid's dream to go to a World Cup. It's difficult ... and hopefully three points against Oman puts us in pole position."
The country’s quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil re-starts on Tuesday night. Australia are locked in a dogfight with Oman, Iraq and Jordan for the second automatic spot in Group B, eight points behind Japan. You can watch this vital clash live and in stunning HD from 6.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1 HD, with kick-off from 7pm.
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