Manager praise for Keena

THIS mighty Mullingar man is getting closer to breaking the 20-goal barrier in his first year at The Showgrounds.

Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena’s second-half penalty against Drogheda United on Saturday last was goal number 17 in all competitions this season. The versatility of the forward, who leads this year’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division scoring charts with 14 goals, was once again highlighted by manager John Russell. “Aidan is one of the best players in the League of Ireland in terms of his passing and vision – it is top class,” Russell enthused. “You want him on the ball as much as possible. We ask him to move into deeper pockets, even if that means moving into the left or right channels. “He can play a pass – there’s no-one else that can play those type of passes, with the exception of Jack Byrne. “He [Keena] is a goalscoring threat and we like him to drift around the pitch. He can play as a nine or a 10. We want to get him on the ball because he is so good.”

Keena, pictured, who has scored in three competitions this season, has combined well with Max Mata, who, on eight goals so far, is not far off double figures.

“We’re delighted to have both Aidan and Max – it is very hard to get good goalscorers [in the League of Ireland] and we are lucky to have two really, really good players like them.

“It is important that they keep contributing and getting chances in games – it is up to the other players to provide these chances.”

For the team’s remaining eight Premier Division games in 2022, Russell wants more goals from other players – those who start and are brought on.

“That was the pleasing thing about Frank [Liivak] getting another goal for us. We’ve challenged the other players to start chipping in with goals and for us not just to be relying on Aidan and Max,” he added.