Byrne’s redemption shot with Rovers
STEPHEN BRADLEY has hailed the signing of former Manchester City prodigy Jack Byrne and believes the move to Shamrock Rovers will be the perfect platform for the 22-year-old to rebuild his career. Once a highly-rated prospect at City, the Dubliner has been unable to lay down firm foundations and the Hoops are now his seventh club in four different countries. It was only in 2016 that former Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill invited the playmaker to train with the senior squad, during which time he declared he was as good as any player there. A loan spell with SC Cambuur in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands helped Byrne catch the eye but moves to Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic, Oldham Athletic and, most recently, Kilmarnock in Scotland have proved unsuccessful. ‘Jack has an unbelievable amount of ability,’ said the Hoops boss. ‘He’s a player who had three or four offers in England and financially they were a lot more rewarding. I think it shows what sort of mindset he has and the hunger he has to show people how good he is again. ‘And remind people that he’s only 22, not in his late 30s, he’s a young man with a lot of ability. ‘He can do everything. He’s so creative. He sees the game very quickly and he’s a very clever footballer. He makes things happen. He just needs a platform, a stage to settle down and go back and enjoy his football. We believe that people will see the best of Jack in the next couple of years with us,’ Bradley continued. Byrne added: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing. I want to help the team push on so that we can compete for trophies and I can’t wait to get going.’