Veteran McFadzean still has more to offer, says old boss Robins

Kyle McFadzean says the scenes after Rovers’ goalless draw against Coventry were something he will “treasure” for the rest of his life.

It was a bitter-sweet moment for the experienced defender, who had been desperate to secure the three points and wrap up safety.

However, it was also chance to say farewell to the Coventry supporters after a three-and-a-half-year spell with the Sky Blues.

“It was weird but it was nice as well,” McFadzean told Coventry Live. “I could hear them singing before the game and I was thinking it was nice but that I needed to concentrate, but I was smiling to myself.

“It was quite emotional and I reckon if I had stayed any longer I would have ended up crying my eyes out, which I didn’t really want to do in front of everyone.

“I wanted to go across at the end and see them all and result-wise, it worked out being a draw.

“Obviously, we needed a win but in the end it worked out for me to be able to say goodbye because if we had lost, it would have been hard to go over with the situation we are in.”

McFadzean joined Rovers on an initial six-month deal, although John Eustace has admitted he would like to keep the centre-back around if possible.

Eustace hailed the 37-year-old’s impact off the pitch, having played a key role in the changing room over the past few months.

Coventry boss Mark Robins reckons McFadzean still has something to offer and praised the defender’s longevity.

“I would back him to get a new contract, 100 per cent. He looks after himself well,” Robins explained.

“There was a period when he spent two or three years out of the game, and I know he considers that now at the end of his career as something of a godsend because it has given him an opportunity to have that longevity.

“But the fact that he looks after himself as well as he does has contributed to that more than anything else.

“I would back him to carry on playing, there is no two ways about it. He was brilliant for us and I would love to see him playing for a long time. It comes to an end for everyone but I think he has still got some football in his legs.”