Richard Cooper wants to provide new Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough with the Stags stars of the future

Cooper signed off as the Stags' caretaker boss on Saturday with a 1-0 win at League Sunderland in the FA Cup, the club's first competitive win of the season.

And the 41-year-old former Nottingham Forest midfielder was delighted to welcome ex-Derby County and Burton Albion boss Clough to the hotseat.

"I actually cleaned his boots when he came back to the club (on loan from Manchester City in 1996), so it's great to have him with us at the football club," he said.

"It's nice to be able to hand a victory over to him.

"I did apologise on Friday as I wanted to give him three points in the league games (1-1 draws with Walsall and Bolton Wanderers), but to get a win for the lads and see their faces after the game, it's really special for them."

Cooper will now turn his attention back to the Stags' academy, where he hopes to produce a production line of talent for Clough's first team.

It's a topic the two discussed when they met prior to the weekend’s cup win.

"He spoke about that on Friday, more or less from minute one," Cooper added.

"It's a great opportunity for the younger players to establish themselves in training and games.

"Hopefully, they'll be given a chance to feature in the near future."

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