Stephen Bradley on Jack Byrne: 'Jack is the best player in the country'

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Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley hailed Jack Byrne after the Ireland international helped the Hoops to a 2-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.

Byrne was the subject of intense transfer scrutiny during the week with reports of an MLS club circling for his signature.

But it appears that Rovers have rejected moves for the Dubliner, with Byrne now set to remain at Tallaght Stadium for the rest of the season.

And speaking to LOI TV on Friday night, Bradley hailed his most valuable asset for not letting the outside noise have an effect on his performance level at Richmond Park.

“Jack is the best player in the country,” he said. “He’s in the form he was when he left us a couple of years ago. He’s at that level at the moment.

“I thought he showed incredible maturity (against St Pat’s) in how he approached and played in the game. It could have been quite easy to get distracted with what was going on.

“That wasn’t easy for him but his attitude and how he approached the game was fantastic.

“Jack was made aware of the bid and we sat down. It was an unbelievable opportunity for Jack in the MLS at a really good club.

“It is one that I’m sure was very enticing for Jack. We have Jack under contract and he understands and respects that.



“He could have easily lost focus against St Pat’s but he didn’t and was excellent.”

If Byrne was to leave the Hoops in the wake of this latest bid, he would have followed Liam Scales and Gavin Bazunu out of Rovers for big transfer fees.

But Bradley insists that the decision to keep Byrne at the club was a clever one due to the ability he has shown on a consistent level.

“I think we have done some brilliant business in the transfer market over the last few years,” Bradley added.

“We have sold a lot of players but I think the board have made a really good decision. Jack is a top player and when he plays at the level he is at; he is so important for us.”



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