DOYLE: HE’LL BE GYPSIES’ REY OF LIGHT
EOIN DOYLE reckons Alan Reynolds will be a hit at Bohemians – after Friday’s derby against Shamrock Rovers.
Reynolds is expected to be named the new Bohs boss this week, ahead of their visit to Tallaght Stadium, and Doyle has happy memories of his time playing with the former midfielder.
The pair teamed up together at Rovers in 2007 under Pat Scully.
And recently retired striker Doyle (inset) remembers how his personality shone through both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
“What a character,” he said. “The best story I have about Rennie is we were playing UCD in their own ground and I remember the ball going up the pitch.
“I think Andy Meyler got put in and got tackled, and they did a long clearance and we were defending.
“The next thing, I hear the whistle going and I look over and it’s actually Rennie standing over the referee, blowing the whistle to stop the game himself.
“I don’t know what happened, but the referee was on the ground. I don’t know if he tripped or got a smack of something.
“But Rennie took it upon himself to stop the game.
“He’s a great character.
At the time, Pat Scully was the manager and he was very intense.
“Anytime there was a bit of fear, especially for me as a young lad coming through, and he put it to the players, did we have anything to say, Rennie would say the opposite to what Pat would say; we need to go out for a drink, that type of thing. He was really good.”
“I wish him all the best.”
The former Cardiff City, Preston and Bolton man will be in Tallaght on Friday night when the Hoops host bitter rivals Bohs – and he expects the Gypsies to enjoy a ‘new manager bounce’ under Rennie.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m sure the new Bohs manager will be announced before then, typical derby. 3-2 Rovers is my bet,” he said.
As for Rennie, he added: “What a likeable character.
“There will be no issues there with players not running through brick walls for him. He’s got that aura about him.”