Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley is eager to give Jack Byrne time and space as he ponders whether to stay at the League of Ireland Premier Division champions next season.
Byrne, a Republic of Ireland international, has been in scintillating form this season and attracted interest from MLS side Charlotte FC last month.
The Hoops turned down a sizeable six-figure bid for the player, who is out of contract in December, with a view to keeping Byrne's talents for their European campaign starting in July.
After a goal and player of the match performance in Derry, the midfielder received more praise and it’s evident interest will grow given he will be a free agent in a matter of months.
The 27-year-old has been offered a new deal with talks at an early stage.
Bradley said there are no concerns over the hardship of losing a valuable asset for free given they’ve turned down a bid: "When you make decisions like we made a couple of weeks back, we made it understanding it could be the case (he could leave for free).
"We're fine with that. We have nothing but respect for Jack and if that is what he decides come the end of the season we just have to thank him for what he has done for this club
"Jack is playing a really high level at the moment. He is playing at a level we saw a couple of years ago. Last year, to be fair to Jack, he was carrying a bad injury on his back and we were trying to help him and manage him. He just couldn't shake it.
"This year he is injury-free and when Jack is in this form and mindset there is nothing in the country that touches it
"The club has started that process with Jack and his representatives but these things take time. Jack has every right to take his time, look at every option and the contract.
"He will make that decision in time. He is a clever man, he has been in the game a long time and I've no doubt he'll make the right decision for Jack Byrne."
Shamrock Rovers face rivals Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night in the second derby of the season.
The game, which will be live on RTÉ2, sees the home side currently on a charge up the table facing the surprise league leaders.
A sold out crowd of close to 8,000 is expected in south Dublin.
Goalkeeper Alan Mannus will miss out for Bradley’s side after confirmation his finger injury picked up in Derry will leave him on the sidelines for a "few weeks".
Number two Leon Pohls will deputise in a rare start.
The Hoops boss added: "We've seen real improvement in Leon the last few years. The reason we played him in Europe last year was this scenario could easily happen. Leon has grown from that experience. He is ready to play."
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians in the League of Ireland live on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport
