This one’s for you, dad!

Anton Rodgers

ANTON Rodgers is hoping for an FA Cup shock at Boundary Park that this time leaves his father in a good mood.

Athletic’s midfield man, son of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, is targeting a victory over Wolves on Saturday that would push the club into round two.

That would be one step closer to the round-four stage in which the Premier League side were embarrassed 3-2 last season — a result Anton’s dad gets ribbed about on his regular visits to reserves and first-team matches.

“He gets reminded of it plenty when he comes to the games,” said Anton. “But it is all in good heart. It happens — that is part of what makes the FA Cup special.”

Liverpool’s home game against Fulham on Saturday afternoon means that Rodgers Senior will be left ringing his son to find out exactly what transpires in the Wolves tie.

Anton, who captained the reserves in a 3-1 home loss to Morecambe at Chapel Road yesterday, is hoping he will soon be able to report a breakthrough into the first-team ranks.

While he may have to wait a while yet, the former Brighton player (20) is anything but unhappy with his current lot.

“I just have to keep working hard in training,” added the former Chelsea academy man. “I have been unfortunate a few times in picking up little injuries before matches that have meant I can’t feature.

“It is a case of keeping going, biding my time and then taking my chances when it comes.

“I love it here to be fair and am buzzing to come in every day, trying to improve.”

Athletic are doubling up on knock-out action, with a home Northern area quarter-final against Notts County arriving three days after the Wolves FA Cup tie.
For a full version of this story read the Chronicle in print or via the digital iChron and eChron editions on mobile and laptop.