Whoever signs Alan Browne will be getting an “incredible” player, claims Preston North End legend Paul Gallagher speaking about the forward who has been reported to be of interest to Coventry City.
The 39-year-old former Lilywhites’ midfielder is now a coach, working most recently with Alex Neil at Stoke until he was sacked last season, and still maintains a keen interest in North End. And asked about his former teammate, he says he’ll be “gutted” if the 29-year-old leaves Deepdale this summer, insisting he’ll be hard to replace as both a player and a person.
Browne, whose current deal ends this weekend, has been offered what is claimed to be a “record” contract offer to stay but has so far failed to commit himself. The Sun’s Alan Nixon claims the Sky Blues and Sheffield United are keen on the versatile player who can play in a number of roles in the middle of the park, as well as out wide.
North End’s club captain certainly ticks a number of boxes for City, not least in terms of his character, leadership and experience – qualities that are in short supply in the CBS Arena dressing room following the departures of senior figures like Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kelly and Simon Moore. And with Matty Godden – the club’s most senior remaining player – potentially leaving this summer as well, Mark Robins’ squad could be extremely thin on experience.
And Gallagher believes whoever signs Browne is getting more than just a quality footballer.
Speaking about the player’s current situation and future, he told BBC Lancashire: “Yeah, people are motivated by the financial side of it but I’ve known Alan a long time. He is a player I respect – honest, says what he thinks and leads by example on the pitch. Off the pitch, he lives his life as a family man.
Playing 400 games for Preston is an unbelievable achievement and in my opinion, Preston North End is the right fit for Alan Browne. It represents who he is, the same DNA. And I just hope that he does stay, because Alan is a Preston legend. He sets the standard and people look up to him.”
He added: “With Alan, he is a different animal in my opinion – hungry and he will find a way to get into the team (if he does leave). Players like Alan don’t come around very often. He’s more of a back-in-the-day kind of player, who wears his heart on his sleeve. Even when he is not playing his best, he will still influence a game and those around him because he’s got that character.
“To play that many games for Preston and be available for that many games, is incredible. If he does leave, it will be a big miss for Preston because he represents the football club really well – with his mannerisms and the standards he sets around the place. I just hope they can get an agreement and he stays on.”
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