Tranmere’s influential captain Steve McNulty has “verbally agreed” to sign a new deal with Rovers this summer – but not until the former Luton Town man returns from holiday.
At a Supporters’ Club event last night, manager Micky Mellon was asked about McNulty’s future. Along with young goalkeeper Luke Pilling, he is the last of the senior players to have his future resolved, but that now looks to be nearing a conclusion.
Mellon said that Macca had verbally agreed to sign a new deal with Rovers and will put pen to paper upon his return from a holiday in Mexico. Incidentally, Mellon himself has just returned from the same country.
The fan favourite who led Rovers back to the EFL
News that McNulty will be staying at Prenton Park is a big boost to the club. Arguably, there has not been a defender that Rovers have been so reliant on since Ian Goodison. Despite his advancing years, he will still be a real asset to have in and around the squad.
McNulty joined Rovers on loan from Luton in October 2015, citing a return to Merseyside as a key factor in the move. Despite a shaky first few weeks with the club, Steve soon won over any doubters with solid defensive performances on a consistent basis.
His willingness to play the ball out from the back was a key aspect of Tranmere’s play, and while he has come unstuck once or twice during his 104 appearances so far, overall his contribution has been outstanding.
He was brought in to form a solid defence on which Rovers could build a promotion-winning team, and ultimately, that is exactly what he delivered. The fact that it was the fifth promotion of Macca’s career also tells its own story.
It looked like he may have played his final game for Rovers, but lifting the trophy that symbolised promotion back to the Football League was not quite the final act. In fact, let’s hope he gets to lead Tranmere to more success next season.
His performances in the play-offs were impressive, both this year and in the semi-finals against Aldershot last year. He rose to the occasion and led Rovers with composure and aggression in equal measure.
