Gilmartin praises keeper coach

Rene Gilmartin has praised goalkeeping coach Mick Kearns for helping him to improve as a player.

Kearns' impact leaves impression on Walsall youngster

Walsall shot-stopper Rene Gilmartin has praised goalkeeping coach Mick Kearns for helping him to improve as a player. Kearns, Walsall's most capped player, only agreed at the start of the season to combine his role as community programme manager with that of training the club's keepers. And Dublin-born Gilmartin, 22, has reaped the benefits, ousting experienced Trinidad and Tobago international Clayton Ince from the No.1 spot and finally establishing himself in Chris Hutchings' starting XI. And he told the club's official website: "Having Mick as a goalkeeping coach has been massive for me. "Towards the end of last season, when Eric McManus left, I didn't really have anyone pushing me on. Mick came in at the start of the season and has been massive for me. "I can play games and then have a debrief with him afterwards. He tells me what I did right and what I need to improve on and I think the work he has done is there for all to see with me breaking into the team."