Doyle Wants A New String To His Bow

There isn’t a lot that Michael Doyle hasn’t achieved in his glittering 22-year professional career thus far.

- Jon Couch

Since emerging as a top prospect from the Celtic academy, the bustling midfielder has locked horns with some of the game’s great players, lifted trophies, and even represented his country.

Yet, amid the prestige, honours and accolades that Doyle can rightly reflect on so proudly, there is still one gaping hole in his wooden cabinet that is waiting to be filled – and he’s well on the way to completing the set.

Last Saturday – as Doyle reached a landmark 800th professional appearance in the game – he closed in further on a fourth career trip to Wembley, leading Notts County into the semi-finals of the FA Trophy with a rather comfortable 5-0 victory over minnows Aveley.

A two-legged tie in the last four with Harrogate Town now awaits but for Doyle it represents the latest instalment of what’s turning into something of a career swansong.

The one-cap Republic of Ireland international has a new lease of life at the age of 38 – and he’s loving every minute of it!

“It’s great to be competing for honours on two fronts but the Trophy has turned into something quite special for us,” Doyle told The NLP.