ANDY MANGAN wants to complete his Micky Mellon promotion hat-trick after the inseparable pair were reunited once again as the Rovers really Return.
The striker and the new Tranmere manager have rarely spent a day apart in the past five years since agreeing to sign for his Fleetwood side in 2011.
Mangan helped fire the Cod Army into the Football League in the season he signed and was a big player for Mellon as Shrewsbury were runners up in League Two in 2015.
Since taking over at Prenton Park last month, the club’s new boss has made more goals his priority so Mangan, 30, returns to his native Liverpool having become a victim of former manager Gary Brabin’s formation switch last season in the few months he did part from the Scot.
He only left Mellon to sign for Rovers originally because the Shrews fell foul of financial fair play when they went up meaning the club couldn’t afford to offer him terms.
He did eventually return when his first spell at Tranmere went flat – but now he believes there is more chance of success.
The former Forest Green and Wrexham striker said: “I was carrying a bit of an injury niggle when I was last at the club last time and that and a few other factors perhaps meant the fans here didn’t see the best out of me.
“I’ve played for Micky since I was 25. Sometimes managers and players just click. We have a strong relationship. We know how to get the best out of each other – he knows when to prod me and he also helps me find that extra ten per cent.
“We had great times together at Fleetwood and at Shrewsbury. It’s two promotions together so far and now we’re going for a third.
“I’m a better player than I was when I was at Tranmere last season. I’ve learned a lot from playing in League One and I am now fully fit, the fans will see the real me. The club aren’t in the division that they should be in and I want to help them get back into the Football League and get even stronger.”
But Mangan is not the only former player making a comeback. Adam Dawson, 24, has signed full-time after his release from Eastleigh.
The midfielder had a loan spell at Tranmere last season and Mellon said: “Adam is a very good player and he brings real competition for places to the squad.
“It’s important to have different options and he will bring a bit of balance and allow us to play different ways when we need to.”
