Edwards says Luton new boy McGuinness will ‘get better as time goes on’

The former Arsenal connection: Defenders Mark McGuinness (right) and Reuell Walters

Rob Edwards has insisted that Luton’s summer signing Mark McGuinness will get better, but that it has been a challenging start for the defender.

Signed from Cardiff for a fee initially understood to be in the region of a club record initial £6million, though officially undisclosed, the centre back has played in each of the last seven Championship games for the Hatters.

Town have won just twice all season and the 23-year-old has been at the heart of a defence that has shipped 15 goals in nine games.

McGuinness’ home debut saw a mistake ruthlessly punished by QPR as a three minute period saw the Londoners overturn a one-goal Luton lead.

And at the weekend, the former Arsenal youth saw some hesitancy exposed by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s first goal as Sheffield United beat Town 2-0.

Speaking before that defeat at Bramall Lane, Edwards said of McGuinness’ start to life as a Hatter: “I think it’s probably been tough for him as well because, we’ve had indifferent performances and at times, probably, such a different way of playing to what he would have experienced before.

“Getting up to speed, that sort of thing can be can be a challenge, but he’s so willing to learn, brilliant communicator, great professional, and he’s a real leader as well.

“He’s going to continue to get better and better. I’ve been really pleased with him, but he’ll get better as time goes on, no doubt about that.”

Edwards will not be able to work with McGuinness for much of the current international break as the defender was selected in the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the first time, ahead of their Nations League visit to Finland tomorrow.

The Slough-born centre half was a regular for the Republic’s Under-21 team, where he earned 13 caps.

“It’s great for him,” Edwards said of his call-up, adding: “He’s a new player (for Luton) as well, he’ll still be settling himself into new surroundings, a new club, new environments, so this would be a lovely lift for him.”

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimmsson said of McGuinness’ selection: “Maybe the more surprising, Mark McGuinness, a centre back at Luton, has been playing really well for this season. Aerially dominant and a set-piece threat. Really a set-piece threat, but also a good range of passing and has been really impressive or Luton.”