IWAN ROBERTS is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his new manager Andy Hessenthaler.

Hessenthaler has successfully combined roles on and off the field in the last four seasons and Roberts said he was hoping to follow his example both as a an elder statesman of the team and as a forwards’ coach in a new era in his career.

He said: “Andy was thrown into being a player-manager and he’s still doing it and has done a fantastic job. He found it a little bit difficult with only him and Wayne (Jones) here and he was still playing at the time.

“He’ll be playing again next year and you could see in the last game of last season his emotions. That’s what it’s all about and I feel I can learn from him.”

“I met with Andy and the chairman twice and I’ve always got in with Andy even though we’ve never played together,” he added.

“He’s always impressed me and he’s still playing at 38 and I want to carry on playing for as long as I can. This is a club that is really going places and the big thing for me was the two year contract and the coaching as well.

“I’m still fit and feel I have a lot to offer. I was disappointed when Norwich didn’t renew my contract. I was 35 and could understand their decision and have no problem with it. But things move on and as one door closes another one opens.

“"I’m looking forward to working with the strikers. Patrick (Agyemang) has got unbelievable pace and some of the things that he does he probably doesn’t know how he does them. He’s quick, strong and Mama’s the same.

“Last season when Gillingham played at Carrow road I thought Mama and Patrick were the best pairing I’d seen all season."

Manager Andy Hessenthaler was happy to have landed his man and hopes he can provide the goals that were missing last season.

He said: “That’s why we’ve brought him to the club. Not just as a member of the coaching staff but as a player as well. He’s got another two years and looking at him for the first time today he’s still fit because he was able to keep up with me in the run!"

Hess told KM-fm that he expects many of thje players on Gillingham's books to benefit from Roberts' experience...