Third-choice goalkeeper Chris O’Connor might be able to hang onto the gloves for one more match if he has a blinder when Gold Coast United meet Perth Glory on Monday night.
Third-choice goalkeeper Chris O’Connor might be able to hang onto the gloves for one more match if he has a blinder when Gold Coast United meet Perth Glory on Monday night.
That’s the word from coach Miron Bleiberg, who admits he faces an ‘interesting’ dilemma as the battle for the spot in the goalmouth heats up dramatically over the next few weeks in the absence of usual custodian Glen Moss (adductor).
O’Connor, 26, was serviceable in his Hyundai A-League debut on Wednesday against Melbourne Victory down in Tasmania, but his window of opportunity is about to slam shut.
After playing 90 minutes in the National Youth League and recovering well, second-choice shotstopper Jerrad Tyson’s wrist problems are behind him and he’s ready to return to the starting XI.
But O’Connor can keep him on the sidelines for at least another week if he does well against the Glory at nib Stadium, according to Bleiberg.
“Next week, it will be interesting. One of them will play,” he said.
“Jerrad was the first, but he got injured and Chris came into play and in my book, he did a good job (in Tasmania) to warrant not rushing Jerrad back straight away.”
“But, still Jerrad is the No.2 and Chris is the No.3. If Chris will have an outstanding game in Perth, then we will have to look at it.”
“If he has a normal game, I will be happy to give Jerrad back his spot.”
This season, matches against Perth have taken on a little extra significance for Bleiberg after three former Gold Coast players joined their ranks.
Dutch defender Bas van den Brink, utility Steve Pantelidis and big-name marksman Shane Smeltz are all expected to start for the Glory on Monday night.
“I’m happy for their success, I’m proud of them. That’s why Perth is my second-favourite team now, because of the Gold Coast three,” Bleiberg joked.
“I’m not expecting any favours – on the contrary, they probably have a bit of inside knowledge on us and by the same token, we have inside knowledge about these three guys.”
“If Bas and Panta will occupy the two centre-back positions, we know how they play, and if Smeltz will occupy the centre forward position, that’s very important as well. It’s a fair fight.”
Bleiberg also moved to calm the speculation surrounding Gold Coast and their delay in handing out contract extensions for next season and beyond.
The vast majority of United’s squad come off contract at the end of the current campaign, including captain Michael Thwaite, defender Ante Rozic, midfielder Jonas Salley and striker Maceo Rigters.
Other clubs, both in Australia and overseas, are ready to pounce for their services but Bleiberg said the club will start offering new deals as soon as billionaire owner Clive Palmer is ready.
“The players know where they stand and their agents know where they stand. It’s all above board,” he said.
“We haven’t started yet, that’s not a secret, but we will do it when Clive wants to. Nobody said it will be at the end of the season. It could be tomorrow, or the day after, or next week.”
“We will start with our players by priority, the most important ones first and then the ones we have a question mark over, we’ll make a decision on them later.”
