Lincoln City manager Mark Kennedy has discussed the possibility of losing players amid reported interest in captain Paudie O’Connor, when questioned by BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke had claimed the Imps are bracing themselves for a bid from a number of Championship clubs for the 26-year-old defender.
After arriving for free from Bradford City last summer upon the expiration of his contract, O’Connor has become an integral part of Kennedy’s back line, recently picking up the armband following the departure of Regan Poole to fellow League One side Portsmouth.
The Lincolnshire outfit have also moved to sign centre-back Alex Mitchell on loan from Championship side Millwall, further sparking debate over the future of their key figure.
However, it is more likely that the 21-year-old will be an addition alongside the Irishman, as the Imps were still light in the centre of defence having lost Poole and Joe Walsh this summer, as well as Dutchman Lewis Montsma who is still recovering from a high-profile injury.
Lincoln have also tied down other key assets, including 20-year-old Sean Roughan, who somewhat surprisingly committed his future until 2025 at the LNER Stadium, despite previously attending trials at Premier League clubs.
Forward Ben House, who won both the club’s Golden Boot and the Players’ Player of the Year accolade also committed his future in LN5, having also being subject to interest from those in divisions above.
What’s been said?
When asked whether he was concerned about outgoings, the 47-year-old said: “I don’t think about that.
“I’ve said many times as a coach, especially when we’re getting players in, I feel we’re a brilliant platform club, I feel we’re on the rise, we’re on the up.
“But if people go a few places ahead of us or get to the end goal ahead of us, good luck to them. It means we’ve done something right.
“If Liverpool come in for somebody and it’s right for the club then we should all support that, it’ll only make the club better long-term, but I’ve had no heads up on anything.”
Writer’s View
Mark Kennedy’s words should put some Imps fans at ease, who may still be fearful about the reported interested in O’Connor, however, I suspect it is just paper talk.
The 26-year-old’s celebrations after scoring on Tuesday night did not strike me as a player who was set to depart the LNER Stadium.
Much of what has been good about Lincoln’s business this summer has been their ability to retain key assets, alongside an approach which has seen the club invest in more permanent signings, rather than the heavy reliance on the loan market seen in recent seasons.
