Shannon to retain captaincy for Blues

Shannon had been handed the captaincy by boss Gary Hamilton after he came back in superb fashion following his dismissal in last season’s Boxing Day derby.

Shannon quickly worked his way back into the team and following some top-class displays, became Glenavon captain at the age of just 23.

Hamilton says that Shannon will remain as captain this season with two other players also in contention for the vice-captaincy.

“We’ve had that chat with Brendan and he’s going to be our captain this season,” said the gaffer.

“It will also be between Kris Lindsay when he gets back and also one of the players we are looking at signing, if we get him, for the vice-captain’s role.”

Shannon’s versatility will serve him well in the coming season as Hamilton considers shifting the full-back up to right-wing if the boss manages to sign the right-back he is targeting.

He said: “Our priority was always to get a right-sided player in whether it be a right-back or a right-winger. If we got in a good right-back, we’d push Brendy up to the wing and if we got a good winger, Brendy could play at right-back.

“There aren’t many good wingers available and if we can get in a quality right-back, then we will, as there is no point signing a winger for the sake of it. The priority is to have a good quality right side.

“We see him (Shannon) as being able to play in a lot of positions. Obviously he plays at right-back but Kyle Neill made a good career for himself playing at left-back and on the wing and I think that Brendy is just as good going forward.

“He can play in centre-midfield too and we’d be confident with him in there while he can also fill in at left-back as well. He’ll always be about the team.”