Steve Cooper insists he was never worried Brennan Johnson would leave Nottingham Forest in January as heaped praise on the Wales international.
Johnson was the subject of a reported £18m bid from Brentford late in the transfer window but Forest's hierarchy rejected the offer and resolved to keep the 20-year-old for at least the rest of the season.
The interest in Johnson was unsurprising given he has scored seven goals and added a further five assists in his first season at Championship level, after spending last term on loan at Lincoln City.
However, his manager at club level insists he never once thought Johnson's head would be turned by a possible Premier League move.
The winger never lobbied to go - in fact Cooper says his attitude has been faultless since he came to the club.
"What you see on a daily basis is a young player who is never late - a player who comes in with the right attitude and works hard in training," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"He wants to do extra and review how he can improve his game. He's a local boy and is very proud to play for the football club.
"He comes from a lovely family and lovely home. If I'm being really honest I was never worried about him leaving because I see him every day.
"It's a good thing he's getting interest. It shows he's doing something right. We're enjoying working with him.
"I see the bits no one else sees - how hard he is working. Sometimes you have to be careful what you say about young players. You don't want them getting carried away.
"Sometimes they want the limelight, but Brennan is the opposite. He shies away from it.
"He's got a real chance of having a good career. Where he's at now - he's got to play well on Sunday, on Wednesday and then on Saturday.
"That's where his focus should be. He's a credit to everyone I have to say."
Johnson will hope to further enhance his reputation when Forest take on Leicester City - another side who admire the player - in the fourth round of the FA Cup this afternoon.
