Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COOPER’S BEER FOR GOOD
New boss tapped into Forest’s Euro stars over a pint
STEVE COOPER went for a pint with Nottingham Forest’s European Cup heroes to get a sense of what it was like in the club’s glory days.
Today Cooper has the chance to make his own Forest history – as the manager who beat Liverpool and took them to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991.
Cooper has lifted Forest from bottom of the Championship to the verge of the play-offs in an amazing six months in charge.
He is eager to eat up all the club knowledge and history he can, savouring the triumphant era that began in the late 1970s, and saw them crowned English and European champions.
Forest legend Garry Birtles, 65, who won two European Cups with the club, reckons that makes a refreshing change.
Birtles said: “Not many of the managers Forest have had since those days have embraced the success that we had with Brian Clough.
“But Steve Cooper has ‘got it’ massively. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“He wants us behind the scenes. The doors are open. He’s come for a drink with us – the lads go out on a Thursday. Me, Robbo [John Robertson], Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and John O’Hare.
“Steve asked to meet some of the ex-players who won the League and the European Cup. We went to a place near the ground and he really enjoyed the night.
“He has just put a smile on everybody’s face. The fans, the buzz, it is a totally different atmosphere and it’s down to what Steve’s done.”
Forest v Liverpool was a must-see fixture of the late 1970s and early 80s.
But Nottingham Forest’s decline means they haven’t played each other since April 1999, when Forest fought back for a 2-2 draw at the City Ground but ultimately finished bottom of the Premier League – and have yet to return.
Cooper’s current run of one defeat in 14 games, which includes the Cup giant-killings of Arsenal and Leicester, is reviving ideas of the top flight.
But the absence of injured Steve Cook and Max Lowe, plus Scott McKenna who suffered hamstring damage in Wednesday’s 3-1 win against QPR, are serious blows today.
A back three of Joe Worrall, Cook and McKenna has been the basis of Cooper’s rebuild of a Forest side now studded with young talent and loan stars.
Key Middlesbrough loanee Djed Spence (above), the flying full-back, has a £10million price tag on his head – with Bayern Munich favourites to get him but Arsenal, Tottenham and Roma seriously interested.
Midfielder James Garner, on a second loan from Manchester United, and forward Keinan Davis, on loan from Aston Villa, are players Cooper would hope to sign if he had the Premier League gold. Philip Zinckernagel is another borrowed forward, on loan from Watford.
Centre half and captain Worrall has long been courted by top-flight clubs. Forward Brennan Johnson, 20, is also highly rated.
“We are in the infancy of trying to build something,” said Cooper who spent part of his early years coaching at the Liverpool academy.
“Nottingham Forest against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup catches the imagination – but we’ve not
turned it round yet. Eighth in the Championship is not turning it round. There is still a lot of work to do.”
Cooper is committed to standing on the shoulders of those giants who once made Forest the best in Europe. He said: “It wasn’t all new to me, I knew something about those days before I came because it is something I am interested in.
“When you become part of it you delve even more. Then you have the opportunity and the honour of meeting some of these greats of the club.
“A lot to them are still living in the area and come to the games, so it’s just a natural and authentic thing to meet them.
“My coaches Steven Reid and Alan Tate are also interested. When you meet these players you learn more about the history, traditions and values of a club.
“It tells you what the club is really built on and helps you feel more a part of who you are working for.
“We will always stand on the shoulders of these players – it’s something we should embrace and be proud of.
“We are trying to create the next chapters – that’s exciting.”