Barry hails 'immense' Laursen

Midfielder hails retired team-mate

Last updated: 18th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barry hails 'immense' Laursen

Barry: Laursen tribute

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Gareth Barry has insisted he will never take football for granted after hearing of Martin Laursen's retirement.

Laursen announced on Friday that he would be hanging up his boots with immediate effect due to injury.

Barry admits it will be difficult for Villa to cope without the Danish defender, who has been one of the club's most important players in recent years.

"It is devastating news for Martin and for the club," Barry told Villa's official website.

"He has performed magnificently - not only this season but in previous ones too. He has really been immense.

"I had a quiet word with him just before he announced his decision on Friday. You could tell he was very emotional and very upset but I told him all the lads wished him well for the future.

"This sort of news makes you appreciate playing football. You have to respect the game because you never know when your career is going to end."

O'Neill eyes replacement

Manager Martin O'Neill accepts that he will now have to look for a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.

However, he rates Laursen extremely highly and doubts whether he will be able to bring anybody better to the club.

"You couldn't have anything but praise for him. His attitude to football was fantastic - he put his head in places where no-one else would have dared," O'Neill explained.

"He scored goals, he saved goals - he was absolutely tremendous. He was a colossus.

"Where would we go to find someone to replace Martin? Wow, that's difficult. There's no question about it.

"But we'll have to look and we'll have to try and find one. I am hoping there is one out there."

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