Coventry City's combative Irish midfielder Gary Deegan has accepted the challenge to take over the place vacated by the departed Aron Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson rejected the deal offered to him by Coventry and opted to move to Cardiff City instead, but Coventry have a ready made replacement in Deegan.
Deegan missed most of last season through injury after he suffered a stress fracture in his ankle during pre-season training and later exacerbated it by returning to training too early. He made only one appearance for the Sky Blues and that was as a substitute in their last game of the season, the 2-2 draw at Norwich.
Deegan joined City from Irish side Bohemians in January 2010 and has made 17 appearance, scoring twice. His first goal was the winner in the 1-0 win over QPR in February 2010 and his second was the late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Leicester in March 2010.
He earned the nickname 'Pitbull' because of his combative style of play and has had to be warned by his manager to be more careful during training as he has a tendency to be too aggressive even on the training ground.
Deegan was asked if he thought he was capable of being the replacement for Gunnarsson and he was in no doubt that not only could he replace the Icelandic international, he would be better than him.
He laughingly said to the CT: “Definitely, 100 per cent! and I will probably do a better job.”
He made it clear he does not intend to be another Gunnarsson, but he will be himself and said: “I’m not the new Aron, I am going to be the new me.”
“I don’t want to be anyone else, I just want to be myself and establish myself in the team and I want to be in the team from day one, definitely."
“When we are playing Leicester at home and the gaffer is drawing up the team sheet I want to be on it. That’s a must for me and the pre-season is the build up to that and who is going to be in the team, and I want to be the first name on that team sheet.”
Deegan is not alone in expecting big things from Deegan, his manager Andy Thorn is also expecting them. He was the scout who helped bring the Dubliner to Coventry last year and has a high opinion of his abilities and because he missed most of last season it is like having a new signing in the team.
Deegan said: “I don’t know if it is a case of trying to make up for lost time, I just know I am hungrier, but you know what, I am feeling good, feeling fresh and my fitness is going really well for me and I think I can have an unbelievable season this year."
“I think even if Aron was still here I’d still want to take his shirt and I think I would be in there. Gunnar’s gone and he’s going to be a big loss because he’s been a massive player for Cov, but he’s gone now and I am looking forward to playing against him.”