Bradley admits leaders Rovers are keen on Masterson coup

The former Liverpool defender, a free agent next week, was a guest of the club in Tallaght on Friday night

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025 - 10:45

John Fallon

Conor Masterson would be of interest to Shamrock Rovers if the former Liverpool centre-back was to become available.

Masterson (26) was in Tallaght on Friday to watch the Hoops swell their lead at the top of the table to 11 points following a 4-1 mauling of Cork City. He’s just completed his season at English League Two Gillingham but is out of contract next week and yet to agree to an extension.

Previously, he featured in the Championship for Queen’s Park Rangers and was once part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool first-team squad. He famously joined the Reds from his local Lucan United club in 2014 on a record package of €525,000.

The defender from Celbridge has options to move up a tier to League One but both Damien Duff and Stephen Kenny are interested in bringing him to Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic respectively ahead of their European campaigns. Masterson was a regular during Kenny’s year in charge of Ireland’s U21s.

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley was asked about the presence of Masterson as a club guest and while he stressed no talks have occurred he’d be open to exploring the prospect.

Bradley has an embarrassment of riches in terms of squad depth, able to rest Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Matt Healy and Lee Grace ahead from Friday with the derby against Bohemians in mind.

Retaining freshness is his priority, evidenced by his strike force bolstered by the capture of Irish League sensation John McGovern from Dungannon Swifts.

He’ll be available after the window opens on June 1, the same date Masterson can join alternative employers.

“Look, Conor is a good player and there's no getting away from that,” admitted Bradley. “He has been that since he was 14 years of age. We all remember that and that hasn't changed.

“We want good players here. I don't know what his plans are, I don't know anything about them and that's being genuine.

“I'm hearing that teams have offered him deals, I don't know how true it is. All I know is we haven't spoken to him. But if it's something that he was coming home, we'd obviously be interested in good players.”