Mike Mulvey is clinging to hope that Ben Halloran has not played his last game for Gold Coast United, after the in-demand youngster was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Mike Mulvey is clinging to hope that Ben Halloran has not played his last game for Gold Coast United, after the in-demand youngster was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The caretaker coach confirmed the 19-year-old’s hip injury will keep him out for the club’s final two matches, at home to Perth on Sunday and then Brisbane the following week.
Halloran has been a shining light for the wooden spoon certainties, scoring four times – including a goal-of-the-season contender against Central Coast last month – in what has been a breakthrough campaign for him.
“It’s a shame,” Mulvey said at training on Tuesday morning. “I would say that his form along with James Brown earlier in the season was the reason why we were performing well.”
“We will certainly miss his thrust, without a doubt.”
The Cairns-born youngster has one year left on his deal with Gold Coast, but following the removal of Clive Palmer’s license to own the club it is unclear if the club will be around to honour his contract.
If United meet their demise at the end of the season, Halloran will become one of the hottest properties in the Hyundai A-League transfer market.
A handful of clubs have already made inquiries as to his availability, while Sportal understands there is interest from overseas in the talented forward.
But Mulvey, who nurtured Halloran for two years in the National Youth League before making his first-team debut last season, believes the starlet should ‘keep his powder dry’.
“Ben’s got an awful lot to learn,” the developmental guru said.
“He needs to learn how to protect himself a bit better on the field. He copped a blow against Melbourne Victory which led to this injury.
“My advice to him is very, very clear – I believe in this club and I believe there’s a good chance this club will survive.
“There’s a glimmer of hope. I told him, don’t go anywhere, because it doesn’t matter who says they want you.
“I know everyone will want him because he proved the goods this year. All things being equal, he will be with us next year.
Mulvey said it was incumbent upon the people of the Gold Coast, the local football federations and the FFA to keep a club on the tourist strip so that up-and-comers like Halloran can continue to develop as they have.
