Mike Mulvey praises his Mariners and avoids the Usain Bolt question

It’s not about Usain Bolt, so says Central Coast coach Mike Mulvey for the umpteenth time.

Mariners coach Mike Mulvey applauds the efforts of his players against Melbourne City on Saturday at Gosford Stadium. Picture: AAP

It’s not about Usain Bolt — so says Central Coast coach Mike Mulvey for the umpteenth time.

The Mariners, playing their first home game of the new A-League season, shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City on Saturday.

A crowd of 7144 attended but the Mariners’ superstar trialist was nowhere to be seen.

Bolt, currently weighing up an offer but expected to walk away from the club that gave him an opportunity to make a stunning transformation from eight-time Olympic gold medallist to professional footballer, instead sent a couple of messages of support via social media.

The world’s fastest man is no longer training with the Mariners as he holds out for a bigger offer with the help of third-party ­sponsorship.

Mulvey has distanced himself from contract negotiations and has done his best to ensure the Bolt situation was not a distraction for players at the club. That was the case on Saturday, when he provided no update on the contract standoff.

“He’s Instagramed a few things today, saying ‘Come on Mariners’, so he’s supporting us from afar,” Mulvey said.

“What is really key here — and I think all Mariners fans will join me in (saying this), I’m sure Usain is the same — is it’s not about him today.

“It’s about the players who have just put in a fantastic shift.

“He’s been part of our family for the last eight weeks. That’s fine, that’s great, but today is all about the lads.”

Mulvey refused to bite when asked whether he’d prefer the situation is resolved soon, as is ­expected. “The most important thing is we go and get some ice baths for these lads,” he said.

Mulvey was disappointed to concede an 84th-minute equaliser but felt there was a lot to like about the 2017-18 wooden-spooners’ performance.

“The best is still to come from our team,” he said.

“We put in a great effort. It’s building blocks. Last week we got a point, this week we got a point, so it’s onwards and upwards.”

AAP