Heart goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne makes a crucial save from Jets' Craig Goodwin. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
AFTER two years of warming the bench in Brisbane, Andrew Redmayne can belatedly cement his status as a first-choice A-League custodian by keeping his former Roar teammates at bay at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Redmayne unseated veteran Melbourne Heart keeper Clint Bolton on Tuesday to make his debut for the club he joined in the off-season after two bittersweet seasons with the Roar.
And after a shaky start, which including giving away a penalty, the soon-to-be 24-year-old shot-stopper stood tall to defy Newcastle in the Heart's 2-1 home win over the Jets.
After the match, Heart coach John Aloisi declared the keeper's jersey was now Redmayne's to lose.
"The amount of times that I've played that game in my head already - it just came normal," said Redmayne, who has made just six A-League appearances in a senior career spanning five years and three clubs.
"I feel really comfortable in the team that we've got here. It's such a close-knit team. Clint said he's got my back all the way. He's an absolute professional."
The close bond between Redmayne and 37-year-old Queenslander Bolton is perhaps in contrast to Redmayne's relationship with Roar gloveman Michael Theo.
"Me and Clint get along a lot better. Clint's just a fantastic bloke," Redmayne said.
"That's just the vibe you get on certain people.
"I can't speak bad words about either of them, but Clint's just an absolute true professional."
Theo was always the preferred option of former Roar coach Ange Postecoglou and it's hard to argue with the decision considering Brisbane have won the past two championships with the former Melbourne Victory keeper between the posts.
Redmayne holds no grudges despite being told he would be the first-choice keeper when he joined Brisbane from Central Coast Mariners in 2010, only for Postecoglou to perform a backflip soon after by signing Theo, who was desperate to return to Australia after flopping in England with Norwich City.
"Obviously it was a tough couple of years for me, but it was a time that I really enjoyed off the field, and I don't have any regrets at all," Redmayne said.
"Ange wanted the strongest team he could put together. He made the choices he felt were right at the time and he must have done something right."
Redmayne was chuffed to receive a congratulatory text message from Roar vice-captain Shane Stefanutto after the Heart's win over the Jets.
"It was really nice of him. It's going to be fun playing against them," he said.
Meanwhile, Phoenix midfielder Manny Muscat has been suspended for three games by the match review panel for elbowing Roar substitute Nick Fitzgerald in Brisbane's 2-1 home win over Wellington on Tuesday.
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