Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne earning plaudits for influential performances
ANDREW Redmayne’s growing collection of last-gasp heroics between the sticks for Sydney FC has taken his game to another level, according to his former mentor.
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Andrew Redmayne’s growing collection of last-gasp heroics between the sticks for Sydney FC has taken his game to another level, according to his former mentor.
The 30-year-old’s injury-time save to thwart Adelaide United’s Ryan Kitto in last weekend’s 2-1 win was voted save of the round and it came hot on the heels of a penalty save in a triumph against Brisbane Roar as he flew to his left to keep out Adam Taggart’s spot-kick.
It meant six points in the bank that could quite easily have been two, had it not been for the FC keeper.
These match-defining stops are bringing smiles to the face of former Sky Blues custodian Clint Bolton, who worked with Redmayne during the pair’s time together at Melbourne Heart (now City).
The then-young pretender eventually succeeded Bolton between the sticks, but not before paying tribute to the former Socceroo for all his help and guidance.
And Bolton himself is now delighted to see Redmayne not only performing ‘well’ as a goalkeeper for Steve Corica’s side - but visibly making the difference between triumph and despair.
“Redders has the foundations of being a top level goalkeeper,” Bolton told The Saturday Telegraph. “He always has.
“His battle is always his own mind and overthinking situations. But he’s always improving in that area. And now, importantly, he’s making saves that influence the outcome of matches. The penalty save the other day, for example.
“The last couple of seasons he’s making those saves that importantly win points for your team.”
Redmayne’s next chance for heroics will be on Saturday when Sydney FC entertain Newcastle Jets, chasing another victory in a bid to keep up the pressure on leaders Perth Glory.
While Redmayne, who began his A-League career as a youngster at Central Coast, is focused on shutting out the Jets this weekend, another former Mariner is busy aiding the Socceroos’ quest to retain the Asian Cup.
Bolton is also a big fan of the career growth enjoyed by Australia’s custodian Mat Ryan.
Such have been the Australian’s performances for Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Premier League, he has been rumoured to be in the sights of Manchester United among others.
Bolton recalls some tough early setbacks in Ryan’s A-League career but instead of letting them damage his confidence, he simply blossomed.
“Maty has been going great in the Premier League,” Bolton said.
“I am really impressed at how consistently he performs at a top level now. His mental resistance is phenomenal.
“As far as going to a bigger club, it’s hard because the bigger clubs in England, most have decent keepers at the moment. I’d suggest he stays at Brighton for a while to be honest. If they’re in the Premier League, comfortably, I wouldn’t be chasing a big move _ unless it just eventuates.
“I’m pretty sure Arsenal’s Mat’s boyhood club. That’d be hard to turn down.”
Keepers aside, Bolton’s old teammate Steve Corica will look to engineer another home win for the Sky Blues as they tackle Ernie Merrick’s Jets.
“They have a front four that’s very mobile,” Corica said. “We have to be ready for that. They’re desperate for points and obviously we’re desperate for points to stay at the top so it’ll be a good game.”
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