[Clarification: There has been an overwhelming reaction to my last piece about the Bohs saga. I'm sure there are those who feel I have an agenda as a supporter of another League of Ireland team. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the solicitor for the players, I must be and am entirely neutral. I have no favourite team and am always happy to represent any player with a problem. I simply love good football and top footballers. Just like most football fans.]

GARY O'NEILL - THE FOOTBALLER'S FOOTBALLER

As a new season dawns, there is little doubt about which team looks the strongest on paper. The champions, Shamrock Rovers, already had a strong squad but the woes of Bohemians and Sporting Fingal have provided an opportunity to strengthen that Michael O'Neill was not going to pass up.

Strangely, considering that they were eventually crowned league champions, there was an inescapable feeling last season that something was missing for the Hoops. When Gary Twigg was injured early in the season, you wondered where their goals were coming from but even on his return, he seemed to be ploughing a lone furrow with no regular strike partner. There were times when Twigg looked isolated and good all round player that he is, he can't do it all.

As soon as the season ended, word is that Gary O'Neill was the Rovers manager's primary target. Although he initially favoured Fingal, the implosion of the northside club gave Michael O'Neill the opportunity to make his namesake an offer he couldn't refuse.

So, is Gary O'Neill the missing link for Rovers?

Gary O'Neill on his Shamrock Rovers debut against Dundalk's Greg Bolger

Well, he won't score as many goals as Twigg, nor is he likely to skin defenders for pace but there is arguably no more important striker in the league. Every top team needs a forward who can hold the ball up, link the play and take pressure of the defence. If a ball is played into Gary O'Neill whether to his feet, in the air or into the channels, chances are he will take hold of it and recycle to the benefit of the team.

Essentially, he's a player that other footballers appreciate more than many fans do. Now, I was a bang average amateur footballer (and those who have played with me may say that's being kind to myself but we'll go with that for the moment!) but anyone who has played the game knows the value of a forward who does the unglamorous shift work, holds it up and lays it off.

He's not a man who will ever be renowned for the spectacular but his pass completion statistics and work rate will be unmatched by any other player on the pitch. He holds the defender off better than any other striker in the league and does get his fair share of the goals.

Last November, I had the privilege of taking the assistant managers role for the PFAI eleven against Shamrock Rovers in the Derek Tracey testimonial. Watching O'Neill's movement, touch and finishing up close was a privilege. With some of the league's top names on show that night, Gary still stood out as the classiest player on the pitch.

Already in the first match against Dundalk, the value of his link play could be seen in the overall Rovers performance and I have a feeling Gary Twigg will be buying him quite a few pints this season!

Stuart Gilhooly is the solicitor to the PFAI and can be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DSBAPresident