COOPER ALL SET TO MAKE HIS TON
IT’S set to be a proud moment for Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper if selected on Tuesday night – it will be his 100th appearance for the club.
The highly-rated 22-year-old came through the ranks at Home Park and has since gone on to establish himself as the Pilgrims’ number one.
Indeed, his displays have caught the attention of clubs higher up the ladder and he did his burgeoning reputation no harm at all with an impressive display against Chelsea in a 2-1 extra-time FA Cup defeat a month ago.
“The whole event was a really big day and a really special memory,” said Cooper. “It’s probably the highlight of my career.”
Now he’s due to reach the 100-game milestone against struggling AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night as Argyle seek another three points to enhance their play-off chances.
“It means a great deal,” said Cooper. “Everyone knows how much the club means to me. To make 50 appearances for the club was good, 100 will be even better.
“For 22, to be hitting 100 games for Argyle professionally is quite an achievement.
“I’m proud of when I do hit it, and hopefully I can just kick on as well and rack up as many games as possible.”
Cooper is grateful for the opportunities he has had to hone his skills with the Greens.
“I think I’d choose my pathway over maybe some of the keepers who have come from Premier League or Championship teams and are 23 or 24 and haven’t made 10 or 15 appearances and been on loan in the Conference,” he told BBC Radio Devon.
“I’ve had a bit of luck along the way, but there’s a lot of hard work through the age groups that helped get me to where I am.
“It’s been a good journey so far and hopefully it continues.”