Iraola was keen to talk up the defender, who's progress has been largely unnoticed this term.
Before victory at Everton, Iraola said: “I think James Hill is the dream scenario for a coach, to have a player like him.
“I told him when he was not playing, I would renew you for 10 seasons and you are not playing, and if it's because for me, I would renew you forever because it gives quality to the squads.
“Because they don't play and they train top level. They come every Monday, the plus one, that is a difficult day for training, and they train at their best. And I'm very happy that now he's getting the rewards.
“Sometimes you have these kinds of players and it never arrives this moment.
“I think he has been pushing enough to wait for his moment and now he's getting the rewards.
“I remember also that when he came back from Blackburn, he had also nice games where he was starting and he was playing, and then he had another injury.
“Probably he went straight backwards. He has climbed again and pushed again, and now he's playing really well. And for me, it's nice because you need this kind of players in a squad, and he has been patient."