Nottingham Forest target Jack Byrne is now a free agent after announcing his departure from Shamrock Rovers on Instagram.
Chris Hughton’s side might have clambered out of the drop zone with four points from their last two matches, but relegation will remain a genuine possibility until Forest can find a reliable source of goals from somewhere.
Only bitter rivals Derby County have troubled the scoreboard on fewer occasions this season than the two-time European champions (16 goals in 23 matches).
On paper at least, Byrne would give Hughton some much-needed thrust in the final third.
The Republic of Ireland international scored 18 times in two seasons at Shamrock Rovers, securing a league and cup double alongside a bagful of individual awards.
But, with his contract expiring late last month, Byrne is now in search of a fresh start with a return to England a genuine possibility.
“With the heaviest of hearts, I would like to announce that I’ve decided to leave Shamrock Rovers,” the one-time Manchester City youngster, who was once compared to Forest legend Roy Keane by Patrick Vieira, explained on IG.
“In truth they’ve changed my life. They made me fitter, stronger and a much better footballer.”
Cypriot publication Protathlima claim that Nottingham Forest are battling APOEL Nicosia, now coached by Byrne’s former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, for the play-maker’s signature.
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