(From L-R): Everton's James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman, who have enjoyed a great partnership this season, with teammate Gareth Barry
SEAMUS Coleman has praised his Irish teammate James McCarthy’s “brilliance” on-field this season as the reason for his own success.
The Everton full-back insisted that attacking presence has been supported by fellow international player McCarthy, who has covered the defender when he plays in a forward position.
Coleman was recently named Everton's Player of the Season, having scored six times in the Premier League from right-back in this campaign, and admitted that without McCarthy’s strong presence he would have not been able to deliver such impressive results.
"Obviously you learn the more you play - you never stop learning," Coleman said.
"I feel comfortable in the right-back position now and thankfully I have got James in midfield who, when I do bomb on, covers brilliantly for me.
"Without him I probably wouldn't have been doing as many forward runs in games as I have done because I can trust him to cover for me. He has been brilliant doing that all season."
The former Sligo Rovers defender also revealed that his defensive work has improved since last season, with fewer errors in his performance.
"Last season, earlier on I probably made a couple of mistakes but there are not many players who go through a Premier League season without making mistakes," he added.
"It's actually part of my game that I enjoy doing.
"I know a lot of people see me attacking but I get great satisfaction in going one-on-one with a winger and coming out on top.
"Hibbo and Bainesy have helped me a lot and definitely I have improved and picked up pieces from them."
