STEPHEN BRADLEY admits he didn’t expect Andy Lyons to be a big goal threat when he signed him from Bohemians last winter.
The Ireland Under-21 ace was moved from his right-back position at Dalymount Park to left-wing-back at Shamrock Rovers - and tonight he scored his eighth goal of the season to fire the Hoops into the FAI Cup quarter-finals.
Lyons’ extra-time strike - just three days after his winner against Ferencvaros - broke Drogheda United hearts.
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And Bradley beamed: “He’s just grown and grown, Andy.
“We obviously tried to get him a while back. We felt he’d improve us and he has improved us.
“And obviously he has added eight goals, which I don’t think anyone would have guessed he’d have that.
“There is still a long way to go in the season, but he has been fantastic for us.”
Lyons is likely to move to Blackpool next January, with Bradley saying “Stephen Mac (McPhail) is dealing with that, to be honest.
“I know they have spoken for quite some time, but Stephen Mac is dealing with that.”
Until then, however, he is sure to be a key player for Rovers as they battle on three fronts at home and in Europe.
Lyons was happy to add to his goal tally and sent Rovers into Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.
“It was a really tough game,” he said of the extra-time win.
“Obviously we came here earlier in the season and they beat us 1-0 so we were under no illusions that it was going to be a really tough game and it didn’t disappoint.
“In the first half, I thought we were slightly the better team. In the second half they came into it.
“Extra-time is what it is, there were a lot of tired bodies out there, especially with the schedule we’ve had.
“Thankfully we got out of here with a win.”
For Drogheda boss Kevin Doherty it was bitter disappointment, as Drogheda bowed out of the cup.
"I'm sad about it because I thought we should have went and won it,” he said.
“I know Rovers had chances but we were right at it. I thought as soon as the whistle went in the second half, we were really well on top and deserved a goal.
“Then even in extra-time, I watched the goal, it takes a ricochet and bounces back.
“Sometimes when your luck's not in it's not in. I thought a few things could have went for us but they didn't so we're out of the cup, we move on.”
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