Lowe backs Keogh to respond

Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe has denied his star striker Andy Keogh is battling confidence issues as the Irishman’s goal-scoring drought continues.

Keogh sits second on the Hyundai A-League goal-scoring table, but has found the back of the net just once in his last six matches.

That goal was a penalty against Melbourne Victory on January 25.

Result: Perth Glory 2 Brisbane Roar 2

Keogh looked sharp around goal in Glory’s 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium on Saturday night, but could not convert any of the multiple chances presented to him.

Lowe leaped to Keogh’s defence when it was asked post-match if the 28-year-old was lacking confidence around goal.

“He’s a pro,” Lowe said.

“There’s more to his game than just goals. He contributes in so many ways for him to have a good game. He’s happy and he’s in a good spot.

“You saw what he was like out there tonight and he was fantastic. The beautiful thing is he is going to score goals, so maybe he might save them up for next week.”

Lowe was equally unconcerned by his team’s fall from grace.

Glory has collected just four points from their last six games and could lose top spot on Sunday if Victory beats Wellington Phoenix.

“After 27 games we’ll find out if we’ve fallen over,” Lowe said.

“We’re in a comfortable spot, we’re enjoying ourselves, we’re playing some good stuff, we’re getting some lads back fit, so we’re ticking along nicely.”

Lowe heaped praise on Dragan Paljic, Chris Harold, Jamie Maclaren, Mitch Nichols and first-half goal scorer Daniel De Silva for leading Glory’s fightback after Brisbane scored twice in three minutes in the second half to take the lead before Dino Djulbic scored the equaliser six minutes from full-time.

“We were comfortable at half-time, but obviously you can’t give goals away like that and then expect to carry the momentum,” Lowe said.

“They were poor goals to concede, but we showed great character again to come back.”

Lowe expected veteran midfielder Ruben Zadkovich (hamstring) to be fit for next Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Victory at AAMI Park.