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Ryan McEvoy admits last season was a hairy one for Bohemians – but promised it won’t be such a close shave this year.

The 23-year-old midfielder is sporting a winter beard to rival that of Ireland and Leinster rugby ace Gordon D’Arcy. And he could soon resemble Gandolf from Lord of the Rings if he doesn’t shave it off soon.

McEvoy laughed: “It started off as a bit of stubble but it’s grown and become a lifestyle now – it’s the definition of something growing on you.”

But until his girlfriend starts using it to “drag me around the shops” it’s staying put – and so, he says, are the Gypsies in the top flight.

They flirted with relegation last season until caretaker boss Owen Heary ultimately hauled them away from the danger zone.

And with the seven-time league winner now in charge full-time, McEvoy insists the only way is up for the Phibsboro men.

“Last year was a disaster, we all know that,” he told Mirror Sport . “We got out of it by any means necessary. It didn’t matter that it was ugly.

“Owen came in and steadied the ship and now he’s signed a lot of experienced players like Jason Byrne (inset), Aidan Price and Paddy Kavanagh.

“We got some great results last year even though we struggled so we know we’re well capable of it. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t push for top four or five.

“Dundalk did it last year and Drogheda the year before, so why not us? We’re making a statement that we can push on and ensure last year doesn’t happen again.”

The Gypsies announced a new sponsorship deal with ‘Mr Green’ on Thursday, an online casino company from Sweden that is laying roots in Ireland.

With the Gypsies since he was 17, McEvoy has witnessed the glory days of league titles and doubles but also the dark days of the financial implosion.

“I’ve seen Bohs at its best and its worst but I never thought of leaving,” he said.

“I want to do something good here and it’s a club that people want to come back to. We want to prove to people that Bohs can win things again and hopefully we can get this club back to where it was before.”

McEvoy has played with Heary and is backing him to have the same impact he had as a player in the dugout.

Good players don’t always make good managers but Heary has passed his first test by protecting the Gypsies record of having never been relegated. And McEvoy revealed that while Heary is an approachable boss, he has wasted no time distancing himself from the dressing-room banter.

It’s a necessary step though. Heary is outright gaffer now, no longer the caretaker or player manager. There has to be a divide as he can’t be their mate.

McEvoy added: “You can still have a laugh with him but there has to be a seriousness too and he’s stepped away a little bit.

“He’s the manager now and he’s nobody’s mate, which is only right. He strives for success and if he doesn’t get it from you, he will get it from someone else.

“It doesn’t matter how close you are to him, he has to be ruthless from now on and I admire that about him.”

(Image: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer)

Bohemians fans would be forgiven for feeling a little green around the gills right now.

The sponsorship deal struck yesterday with ‘Mr Green’ online casino means their team will wear a green away strip – and players will also sport green boots, both home and away.

Of course, that’s the colour most associated with their fiercest rivals – Trevor Croly’s (inset) Shamrock Rovers.

But Bohs midfielder Ryan McEvoy said: “It doesn’t matter what colour we wear, once the result is right.

“There will be stick flying but we’ve shown in the last few years that we can get a result against Rovers.

“It’s all about the badge on the shirt and playing with pride for it.”

(Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Owen Heary says he surprised himself with the calibre of his signings – but insists Bohemians is a club worth playing for again.

Green shoots of recovery around Dalymount Park have raised expectations, and title winners Jason Byrne, Aidan Price and Paddy Kavanagh are all now on board.

“It’s a lot more positive,” said Gypsies boss Heary yesterday. “I don’t expect to be down the bottom of the table fighting relegation.”

Heary joked that he hounded his old team-mate Byrne to rejoin the club.

Of the veteran striker, he laughed: “I was ringing him every day. He was sick of me.

“With Paddy Kavanagh, I was surprised as he had an offer to stay at Derry.

“He can play in a few positions and I’ve looked for that in players this year.

“We’ve strengthened our bench too as we didn’t have strength in depth last year.”

Meanwhile, Heary is still to make up his mind on a move for striker Steven Beattie.