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Matt Gilks will play on for Wanderers next season, Ian Evatt has confirmed.
The former Scotland international, who turns 39 next month, had a huge influence on Bolton’s promotion campaign after coming out of semi-retirement in November.
Gilks had initially been brought to the UniBol as a goalkeeper coach but answered Evatt’s call when Billy Crellin’s form dipped significantly.
Now, the Wanderers boss has no qualms about asking his former Blackpool team-mate to continue in League One next season.
“We’ve had that conversation and he wants to play on, which is great,” he told The Bolton News.
“Forget about his age, he’s a very healthy man, looks after himself and trains professionally and if you look statistically what he has done this season he is – in my view – the best goalkeeper in League Two, and will be one of the best goalkeepers in League One next season.
“Why wouldn’t we want him to play on?
Gilks kept 16 clean sheets in 35 appearances for the Whites but Evatt says his influence on other players in the team made his presence invaluable.
“It isn’t just his own game and attributes, it is what he brings to the other players as well with his voice and the way he communicates,” he said.
“That educated Rico (Ricardo Santos) and brought him on as a player.
“The rest of the lads, the way he dictates and organises, helps everybody else, so if he is happy to play on then we are lucky to have him because he has proved this season what a fantastic goalkeeper he still is.”
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The former Scotland international, who turns 39 next month, had a huge influence on Bolton’s promotion campaign after coming out of semi-retirement in November.
Gilks had initially been brought to the UniBol as a goalkeeper coach but answered Evatt’s call when Billy Crellin’s form dipped significantly.
Now, the Wanderers boss has no qualms about asking his former Blackpool team-mate to continue in League One next season.
“We’ve had that conversation and he wants to play on, which is great,” he told The Bolton News.
“Forget about his age, he’s a very healthy man, looks after himself and trains professionally and if you look statistically what he has done this season he is – in my view – the best goalkeeper in League Two, and will be one of the best goalkeepers in League One next season.
“Why wouldn’t we want him to play on?
Gilks kept 16 clean sheets in 35 appearances for the Whites but Evatt says his influence on other players in the team made his presence invaluable.
“It isn’t just his own game and attributes, it is what he brings to the other players as well with his voice and the way he communicates,” he said.
“That educated Rico (Ricardo Santos) and brought him on as a player.
“The rest of the lads, the way he dictates and organises, helps everybody else, so if he is happy to play on then we are lucky to have him because he has proved this season what a fantastic goalkeeper he still is.”
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