"Sami's been here nearly 10 years now and has always played a large portion of the season, hardly ever missing a game," said the Reds' vice-captain.
"He rarely has a bad one either - and even on the times when he does, he never allows it to affect his form.
"He's had his critics on a couple of occasions, but has always had the character to come through those periods.
"Top players always bounce back when they have suffered a knock - and Sami is one of those players. He is a legend."