Jan Paul van Hecke was hailed as “positively crazy” after a successful full debut for Holland.

The Albion defender helped his country beat Hungary 4-0 in a UEFA Nations League fixture in Amsterdam.

He was given the nod to partner Virgil van Dijk due to the passing skills he has shown with his club.

Van Hecke escaped punishment for an early error and went on to give an impressive display as he helped Bart Verbruggen to a clean sheet.

He said after the game: “I came here in my good form from Brighton, I've been playing well there lately.

“I was just looking forward to getting some minutes. Then of course you're happy when you get to start.

“I just had to do what I do at the club. With confidence.”

Van Hecke, who had previously played once as substitute, hopes to keep his place as Holland, their last-eight place already assured, go to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.

He said: “In general I can be satisfied with today. Of course it can always be better and it has to be better. But I am positive about my match.'

Diutch media asked van Hecke about his now infamous post-match exchange with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola at the Amex.

He said he could not tell everything but had found it funny and added: “It's always good to talk to such big coaches. And he was quite positive too. That's always good.”

Former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, now an analyst on NOS television, said van Hecke was fortunate not to be punished for his early slip.

But, recognising the competition for centre-backs places, he added: “He is the best of them all in passing. That says something. And covering, that is Van Hecke through and through.

“He is really crazy, positively crazy. You have to be that as a defender.”