Belgium coach Marc Wilmots is happy with the mentality Simon Mignolet has displayed with the Red Devils in recent years and revealed that even if Thibaut Courtois had been fit then the Liverpool man would have started in goal over the international break.
Mignolet has been forced to play second fiddle to the Chelsea custodian at international level, but Wilmots feels he has never complained and has continued to act in a professional manner.
Mignolet started in goal for Belgium on Friday night in a 3-1 win over Italy in Brussels and the Liverpool man's performance pleased Wilmots, who says he will also start against Spain.
"Mignolet is now 27 years old and so is coming to his best age. That he was good against Italy didn't surprise me", he told a press conference.
"Something can always happen with Thibaut Courtois and Simon's mentality is an example to the squad", he continued.
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"It was not easy for him to give up his place as number 1.
"Simon would have played against Italy and Spain even if Thibaut had been fit. I promised him.
"It's a sign of respect for him and his work over the last few years", Wilmots added.
Courtois is only likely to return to action following an injury layoff in December and Mignolet will hope to place doubts in Wilmots' head about which goalkeeper to choose as Belgium's first choice.
With Euro 2016 on the horizon the Liverpool custodian will want to do all he can to push his case to become Belgium's number 1 at the tournament in France.
