CAMERON Brannagan is happy to be playing for Karl Robinson, almost 15 years after the pair first worked together.

The midfielder was signed by Pep Clotet in January, but the Spaniard was sacked before he could make his Oxford United debut.

And his eventual replacement was a familiar face to Brannagan, who was a seven-year-old when Robinson was his first coach at Liverpool.

Now 21, he said: “I know a lot’s changed since then, I’m a lot more serious now.

“I remember him and always kept track of his career.

“I think he gave me my first contract at Liverpool.

“It was good to see him – I wouldn’t say it was a relief because people come and go in football.

“But he will give you his honest opinion in the changing room, which you need as a player to learn.

“It’s the best for my development to learn from a good manager.”

Brannagan, who made ten appearances for Liverpool before leaving Anfield in January, has played every minute since Robinson took over.

The new boss is yet to taste victory at United, raising the stakes for tomorrow’s clash with fellow strugglers Oldham Athletic at the Kassam Stadium.

Brannagan said: “You can tell he’s a good manager and wants to play the right way. In time we’ll get that.

“It’s a learning process and he’s just come in.

“Every day in training we’re doing our best to give him what he wants and in time we will get that.

“When it does work I know for a fact we’ll flourish.

“Everyone is fighting hard for a spot and trying to prove to the gaffer what they’re about.

“I back the players around me and I back myself, so we need to keep going forward.”