'I can't wait' - Blackburn Rovers star Shane Duffy on his remarkable journey to Euro 2016

But today he could well find himself part of the Republic of Ireland defence tasked with taming one of the world’s greatest strikers.

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Little wonder, then, that the Blackburn Rovers centre-back describes his rapid rise from Euro 2016 outsider to potential starter in his country’s huge Group E opener against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden as ‘surreal’.

But, as anyone who knows Duffy’s backstory will testify, the one thing you cannot doubt is his strength of character.

Six years ago the Derryman was called up for a training camp by then Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

It nearly ended with him losing his life.

Duffy lost 3.6 litres of blood – around two-thirds of his supply – after lacerating his liver in a freak training ground accident.

The then 18-year-old, thanks to the skills of the medics who treated him, lived to tell tale.

But, as he prepares to take part in the first major international tournament of his burgeoning career, the accident continues to give him a perspective on his life both on and off the pitch.

 “In a way you look at things a little bit differently,” said Duffy to the Lancashire Telegraph before the 23-man Ireland squad jetted out to France last Wednesday.

“I look back and think, ‘you’re lucky’. I got lucky six years ago and it definitely does make you appreciate things a little bit more.

“But at this stage you just forget about it, and you just move on, and try and better yourself as a person and as a player.

“Hopefully I can do the best that I can.”

Duffy has certainly done that since being given a second chance by Ireland manager Martin O’Neill.

After making a full recovery from his near fatal collision with an opposition goalkeeper, the 6ft 4in defender was handed his first international cap by O’Neill in an end-of-season friendly against Costa Rica in Philadelphia in June 2014.

Duffy had to wait until March of this year for his second to arrive.

But he certainly made the most of it, producing a towering, man-of-the-match performance in Ireland’s 1-0 win over Switzerland on what was his home debut.

Duffy followed it up with another impressive display in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Dublin last month.

O’Neill had seen enough, jettisoning the more experienced Paul McShane and Alex Pearce before naming the 24-year-old in his final squad for the Euros.

“It’s still a bit surreal as I didn’t expect to be going,” said Duffy.

“I only thought I had an outside chance; that if there were injuries I might get in.

“But I knew I always had to play well when I came here, and obviously I’ve done something right because he (O’Neill) has picked me.

“It was important in both games (against Switzerland and Holland) to try and show I can play at this level and, as I said, I must have done something right.

“I’m just delighted to be going and I think it will kick in more once I get over there. I can’t wait.”

Duffy and his team-mates have been in France for five days preparing for this afternoon’s Paris clash against Sweden and their talismanic and prodigiously talented skipper Ibrahimovic.

Ireland will then take on highly fancied Belgium in Bordeaux on Saturday before making their way to Lille on Wednesday week to face Italy in their final group game.

Few outside the Emerald Isle expect O’Neill’s men to progress to the round of 16.

But, having taken four points off reigning world champions Germany in what was widely recognised as the most difficult qualifying group, Duffy insists Ireland have nothing to fear.

He said: “It’s three massive games at one of the biggest events in the world. Other than the World Cup, it doesn’t get bigger than this.

“We’ve got three great teams in our group but the way the Irish are set up, and the mentality of the squad, we don’t fear anyone.

“They (Sweden, Belgium and Italy) won’t want to play us. They know they won’t be getting an easy game.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start against Sweden. If we can get three points on the board against them then you never know.

“We took four points off Germany (in qualifying) and, if Belgium don’t win their first game, the pressure may come on them. You never know.

“You want to test yourself against the best. Ibrahimovic is world class but that’s the calibre of player you want to play against. You want to test yourself at the highest level.

“It’s a big confidence booster. It’s huge for my confidence to be part of the 23-man squad and to be involved.

“It’s going to be a big thing for me and hopefully I can take myself to the next level if I play.”

Duffy has certainly proved to be more than adept at Championship level after taking the decision to leave Everton for Rovers after six years on the fringes at Goodison Park.

But, while he was pleased with his performances at Ewood Park last season, he knows he can and must continue to improve.

“I feel like I’ve done well considering we, as a team, didn’t have a great season,” said Duffy, who has made 64 appearances, scoring five goals, since his arrival at Rovers in September 2014.

“Form wise, I was happy enough, but of course I can and always want to get better, and try and get to another level.

“So while I was happy with this season, I’ve still done a few bad things that I need to clear up next season.”

Duffy has formed a bond with the Rovers supporters which was strengthened further when he dived head first into the away end after scoring a stunning late winner in the 1-0 victory at Brentford in March, days before he starred for his country against Switzerland.

Now the father-of-two, who will be cheered on in France by his partner, and by his mum and dad, cannot wait to play in front of Ireland’s travelling Green Army.

 “They’re mad, they’re great,” said Duffy, who won goal of the season for his memorable Griffin Park strike.

"They’ve always backed us, whether it’s a major tournament or not. They always come out in their thousands and thousands. We’ll probably have the most fans out there.

“It’s such a big thing for the country and I can’t wait for Monday now.”