Kal comparisons end with a look at the leagues, insists Luton coach Sheehan

Alan Sheehan says there’s only one winner in a game of comparisons with Kal Naismith and that he’s happy to help improve Luton’s latest cult hero. 

The Irishman returned to Town as first-team coach a fortnight ago, having spent four years as a player at Kenilworth Road, where he also became a popular captain. 

Sheehan was a fan favourite for his wand of a left foot, his ability with the ball and for some memorable one-liners in interviews.

Naismith has been lauded as one of the club’s best ever free signings, even before the weekend when he used his left peg to sink Championship leaders Bournemouth with the last kick of to ensure a dramatic 3-2 victory. 

But for the Hatters new coach, the similarities end when you look at the levels they both operated at. 

Sheehan said: “I see the comparison – left-footed, ball-playing centre-backs maybe, but I did it in League Two and League One, he’s doing it in the Championship. 

“I was a massive fan before he came in, still a big fan and now I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with him and try and improve him, take him to the next level. 

“I keep hearing those comparisons but I’ll knock that one on the head because there’s only one winner there.”

As a player, Sheehan helped the Hatters to historic back-to-back promotions, to fire them into the Championship, and since his return as a coach, the club have won both games, scoring seven goals in the process. 

While the first of those was a rusty 4-0 victory over Harrogate in the third round of the FA Cup, Sheehan’s first league game in the Luton dugout was a special afternoon. 

He said: “Obviously, the first game against Harrogate was a decent win, a 4-0 win at any time you can’t turn them down. 

“The Bournemouth game was an exceptional performance and one that will live long in the memory for a lot of people. 

“That winning goal was quite unbelievable to be a part of that, to be involved and the noise in the stadium, it’s something that won’t be forgotten about in a good while.

“It’s great. The thing is, when I was here before, we won a lot of games and there was a lot of special times and when I was away, they didn’t win as much. So, then I came back and it’s been really good!”