Andy Mangan believes Scott Sinclair's decision to sign a new 18-month contract with Bristol Rovers is a huge boost for the club and a statement of the working environment Joey Barton has created.
Sinclair's short-term deal after returning to his boyhood club in October was due to expire next week, but he has penned a new contract until the summer of 2024 after making a big impact since rejoining the Gas.
The 33-year-old, formerly of Manchester City, Chelsea and Celtic, has scored four goals and added an assist in 16 games in all competitions, with most of his appearances coming as a wing-back.
He has made a significant impression off the pitch, too, buying into the group wholeheartedly and demonstrating that he has lost no motivation to succeed, despite approaching the twilight of his career.
First-team coach Mangan believes Sinclair's long-term commitment to the Gas is of great significance to the club.
"Huge for the club, huge for the team and huge for the coaching staff because we dedicate our lives to this and we are trying to get Bristol Rovers to the Championship and further on," he said.
"The fact that he has decided in his twilight years to stay here and have an Indian summer with us must mean number one – because of the type of professional that he is – that he is still learning, number two, he loves it, and number three, that he feels like he can give his all to get even more success because he is built for success.
"We are delighted with it and as coaches, staff and a club, we should be really proud he has decided to stay with us."
There is no doubt that the presence of a high-quality veteran player like Sinclair, who has joined a senior core that includes Glenn Whelan, Paul Coutts and Anssi Jaakkola, is a great advert for the Gas.
The winger, a product of the club's academy, had options elsewhere but he was convinced that Rovers is the right place for him and Mangan believes that speaks volumes for the strength of the club at the moment.
"It’s massive," he said. "I think we say all the time that there is a lot of information that we ask the lads to retain and we are constantly trying new ways to improve and we are constantly watching the best and trying to implement that in the way we play.
"We are moving forward. Not only Scott Sinclair, but Glenn Whelan is in the final years of his career as his football player – 92 caps for Ireland – and he has decided to stay with us, which is massive. Paul Coutts has decided to come with us again, too.
"People must love working for us and the coaching staff can be really proud, but also the club as well. They look after us superbly and we can’t ask for anything more than the way Wael treats us or the CEO treats us.
"We feel like this is a home away from home, so we’re all delighted to be here and the fact Eddy (Jennings) has got Scott Sinclair over the line, everyone can be really proud of the job they are doing."
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