Nottingham Forest may have a challenge on their hands luring Jack Byrne to the City Ground, with the Shamrock Rovers talisman telling the Independent that a return to England is not necessarily guaranteed.
If Forest fans were hoping for an immediate turnaround under promotion-specialist Chris Hughton, they have been sadly mistaken.
At least the two-time European champions scored a goal on Wednesday. Anthony Knockaert’s effort in a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City was Forest’s first in seven games; a miserable run dating back to early November.
The shot-shy Championship strugglers are crying out for some attacking thrust and Byrne, who has been linked via Protathlima, would provide exactly that.
With 10 goals and eight assists in 25 matches, the Republic of Ireland dynamo fired Shamrock Rovers to the League and Cup double last season. Yet whether he could make a similar impact in the Championship, having struggled at Wigan, Blackburn and Oldham Athletic, remains to be seen.
“I am still not ruling out Shamrock Rovers. I have spoken to the club and the manager. I have told him that they will be in my mind when I am making the decision,” Byrne said when asked about his future with the League of Ireland outfit.
“It just has to be the right club and the right challenge. One of the best years of my career was playing in Holland (on loan at Cambuur in 2015/16).
“I wouldn’t rule out going back there if something good became available. I’m not just looking towards England or Shamrock Rovers. There are a lot of things that I have to take into consideration and I will be over the next couple of weeks.”
Byrne will be a free agent in the winter transfer window, with his contract at Shamrock Rovers expiring on December 31.
Interestingly, former Manchester City youth coach Patrick Vieira once compared Byrne to Roy Keane – the legendary Nottingham Forest midfielder (Examiner).
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