Stephen Bradley says goalkeeper Alan Mannus has delivered an emphatic response to critics with his performances for group stage bound Shamrock Rovers this season.
And he reckons the former Northern Ireland international will continue his Hoops career beyond this season, with talks having already taken place about a new deal.
Mannus has been instrumental in Rovers’ run in Europe this season and is going to be a key figure once again tomorrow night when they face Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-offs.
It was at this stage last year that some were writing the Hoops number one off, after his performances in their Europa Conference League play-off exit to Flora Tallinn.
Mannus, who turned 40 in May, has rolled back the years with some outstanding displays this season, including a man of the match turn in last Friday’s scoreless draw in Derry.
Bradley said: “I think people were very quick to have a go at Alan last year after the Flora Tallinn game.
“Even at the start of this year people outside wanted to have a go at him.
“I said all along, in my opinion he’s the best in the country.
“That’s the reason why in big moments he steps up.
“He did it for us in Europe last week, he did it for us (in Derry) and he does it time and time again.
“His character, he never wavers in how he approaches the game.
“There is a reason he has played at the level he played at and is playing at the age he is playing at.
“We love him, we just feel so at ease with him back there.
“He has been unbelievable for us.”
According to Bradley, the criticism that Mannus received last year didn’t bother the Tallaght Stadium number one.
“It doesn’t register with Alan. When you speak to him he is very focused. He has been around the game too long for that,” said the Hoops boss.
“But I just think people need to have a bit of respect for what he has done in the game and who he is.
“Is he going to make mistakes? Of course he is. Every player makes mistakes. They just get highlighted when you are in goal.
“But he saves us more times than not and he was fantastic again against Derry.”
Mannus is into his second spell at Rovers. He was signed from Linfield in 2009 by Michael O’Neill and played alongside current boss Bradley.
He then left for St Johnstone in the summer of 2011 and missed out on the Hoops’ historic Europa League group stage adventure later that year.
Mannus did win the Scottish Cup with St Johnstone when they defeated Dundee United in the 2014 decider.
But getting to the European round robins this time around - with a minimum of Conference League qualification already guaranteed - is no less than he deserves, according to Bradley.
“Alan has done a lot in his career and played at a really high level, but he has earned his shot at the group stages and I am delighted for him and all the group,” he said.
“But for someone like him who has had the career he has had, it’s great for him that he can go and challenge himself at this level.
“No doubt he will step up to it.”
Bradley added that the net-minder was showing no signs of slowing down, despite his age.
Mannus could add a fifth Premier Division title to his glittering collection of honours, which also includes five Irish League wins with Linfield, to his collection this season.
Bradley paid tribute to the workrate and hunger that keeps his goalkeeper challenge for top honours year after year.
“I played with Alan years back and he is in better shape now than when I played with him,” he said.
“That’s a testament to how he lives his life and how he manages his body.
“It’s all going to be down to his body and right now his body is saying it feels good, which is great for us.”
So what about next season?
“Yeah, hopefully,” replied Bradley. “We have had really good discussions with him.
“He feels good, his body feels good, he is enjoying it, he loves the challenge, he still has the hunger, which is the main thing.
“So right now I would imagine he will be.”
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