Brendan Kiernan pushing for Harrogate Town start in derby against Bradford City

A summer arrival from Welling United, the versatile former AFC Wimbledon attacker hit the ground running, lighting up the early part of the season with his quick feet and desire to take on defenders.

Seven goals and a number of assists arrived within the first three months of his stay at Wetherby Road, though the 27-year-old became more of a peripheral figure after the turn of the year.

Indeed, by the time Harrogate made it to Wembley for their National League play-off final showdown with Notts County, Kiernan couldn’t even make it as far as the substitutes’ bench and watched the biggest game in the club’s history unfold from the stands.

He began 2020/21 very much on the fringes of Simon Weaver’s squad, though he has subsequently forced his way back into contention, an achievement that his manager says owes as much to his positive attitude as his form out on the pitch.

He followed up decent showings against Port Vale and Bolton Wanderers with a man-of-the-match display against Leicester City Under-21s in midweek, scoring one himself and putting another on a plate for team-mate Jon Stead.

And, such is the impression he has made playing through the middle rather than in his usual role on the wing, he could well start up front in Monday’s Yorkshire derby clash with Bradford City.

“It’s not been easy for Brendan, he was out of the squad for the play-off games, which will have been really disappointing for him,” Weaver said.

“But, he deserves a lot of credit for the attitude he’s shown. He came back for pre-season and has absolutely gone for it and he’s always got that big smile on his face.

“He’s created a spark when we’ve played him down the middle. He’s been really energetic and shown a lot of tenacity to try and get in between the full-backs and centre-halves and make things happen.

“He’s scored against Grimsby and Leicester in the [EFL} Trophy games and has looked really lievely.

“There’s a lot of competition for places at the moment, but he’s definitely put himself in contention to start against Bradford.”

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Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.