O’DOWDA SITUATION IS NO BIG CONCERN, SAYS LEE
CHAMPIONSHIP BRISTOL City manager Lee Johnson is relaxed over Callum O’Dowda’s future amid talk the winger could leave at the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international has less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Ashton Gate, having signed from Oxford in 2016.
That could lead the club to cash in on the 23-yearold this summer, and Johnson said: “It’s something that I can’t get too hung up on.
“I think that this is the right place for Callum. I think it’s the right place for his development and you can see visibly that he’s improving every game, every week and he did have that injury spell.
“And the contract will take care of itself. Or not. And if it doesn’t it didn’t cost us a lot of money to bring him in – in one sense – by Championship standards. And he’s given us that value back.
“So if he digs his heels in and wants to see out his contract then so be it – we’ll bring another one through.
“But obviously I want him here with me and as a lad and a player I like him a lot. I believe in him and I’m looking forward to working with him for as long as possible.”
Meanwhile, Johnson’s assistant Dean Holden has hailed the togetherness of the Robins’ squad.
“We’re driven towards a shared purpose, whether as a player who is starting or not in the team, everybody is as important. That shared purpose and goal of success is what we focus on,” Holden said.
“The players are committed to be their best every day, be that their attitude, helping others or driving standards. They drive that in the dressing room, the staff drive that behind the scenes.
“It’s a daily habit of being a good person, working hard and giving absolutely everything every day.”