Shrewsbury at Wembley: Town’s Red duo have a Real date with destiny

Merseysiders Jon Nolan and Shaun Whalley will be locked away in their hotel room cheering for English success in Saturday night’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

While they are hoping Mo Salah and Co do the business in Kiev, they insist it will not get in the way of the weekend’s real business – less than 24 hours later with Rotherham in the way of a fairytale promotion to the Championship.

They will share a room in Town’s London base ahead of Sunday’s final as the squad travel down to the capital on Saturday.

And the ‘we’ describing Shrewsbury is noticeable here. Whalley’s red affinity is on hold with a blue and amber replacement.

The winger said: “Oh yes! We’ll be watching that in the hotel. Probably in our room.

“It’ll be amazing, yes (if Liverpool win), but as long as we (Shrewsbury) get the win...”

Will the pair try to keep a lid on things as the Reds go in search of a sixth European Cup?

Whalley answered: “It depends how the game goes, you can get caught up in a game I suppose, but I’m not really like that.

“But when you’re into a game we might. We might have to hide under the covers or something.”

It was then that play-off semi-final hero at Charlton Nolan chipped in: “I wouldn’t say if they got beat it’ll affect me. I’m a glory-hunter. Because they’re doing well I’m a Liverpool fan.”

There would not be much time for sleep in their hometown if Jurgen Klopp’s men do the business in Ukraine. Similarly the thousands of Salopians heading to Wembley will be too busy thinking about the Championship to get any shut-eye...if Paul Hurst’s men see the job through.

The celebrations in Town’s comfortable hotel will be low-key if Liverpool triumph though, as the pair added almost simultaneously: “We’ll just have to have a couple of pints of water and a few pints of juice!”

Whalley and Nolan are borderline inseparable. They car-share and are room-mates for away days as well as home fixtures as they travel down from Merseyside the night before.

They have even found a way to sit in on interviews together.

The chemistry is obvious. They have joked at times about being told off by Hurst and Chris Doig for passing the ball to each too often.

It is a move that has been particularly devastating down Town’s right-hand side this season.

Town’s No.7 and 20 are big football lovers and the subject moved on to the World Cup.

Former Grimsby and Lincoln man Nolan chipped in with his thoughts on the competition, adding: “I’m more of a Spain fan. The way they play football.”

When asked if Nolan had any Spanish influences, he debated with his Scouse team-mate: “I’m more Iniesta than Xavi, Xavi couldn’t beat players.

“Iniesta is probably one of my favourite players.”

World Cup winning goalscorer Iniesta played his last game for Barcelona this week. Nolan joked: “I shed a tear!”

You would struggle to find Town fans – or League One observers – disagree that Nolan has that silky, drop-of-the-shoulder, eye for a pass, Iniesta-style swagger about the way he carries himself on the field.

Whalley waxed lyrical about the ability the highly sought-after Nolan possesses.

“He’s unbelievable,” said Whalley. “He’s a really good player. “As soon as he came I couldn’t believe that he was stuck in the Conference for so long.

“I think he had the same problem as me and his attitude wasn’t great, but in terms of ability he’s definitely one of the best players I’ve seen for Shrewsbury.

“A lot compare him to Ryan Woods, the way they move. I used to think he was unbelievable so that’s a good compliment to Jon.”