Coventry City striker Gary McSheffrey has praised stand in skipper Richard Keogh for inspiring his team mates with his performances and leadership.
Keogh has been given the captain's armband during Clingan's injury enforced absence and in the 1-0 home win over Bristol City he won yet another man of the match accolade.
McSheffrey possibly played his best game of the season in the much needed Boxing Day win, but he had nothing but praise for Keogh and his efforts in keeping Bristol City at bay in order to earn the first win for the Sky Blues in 12 games.
Speaking to the CT, McSheffrey said: “I played against him when I was at Leeds and he was at Carlisle. He was at right-back then and he’s a rash in that position but since he’s gone to centre-half he’s looked top quality.
“I’ve played with some good centre-halves but he’s definitely up there with the best of them because he reads the game so well. He’s good on the ball, good in the air, he puts his body on the line, for me he’s close to becoming the complete player.
“When he went to right-back at the end I told him ‘don’t bomb on too much because we need you at the back. We’ll do well to keep the likes of Richard but we need him because he’s been terrific over the past season and a half.”