Conor Hourihane: 'All of a sudden I’m going to Anfield as head coach of Barnsley'

At just 34, the salutary tales from his playing career have chiselled Conor Hourihane into a permanent manager.

ANFIELD BOUND: Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane before the Carabao Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion. Pic: George Wood/Getty Images.

When You’ll Never Walk Alone rings out around Anfield on Monday night, Conor Hourihane might finally get an opportunity to absorb how far he’s come.

The youngster from Bandon was tipped to revel at Sunderland and Ipswich Town, both under Roy Keane, but it wasn’t until he dropped into the fourth tier at Plymouth Argyle at 20 that his career gradually took flight.