KARL Robinson spoke of his affection for Cameron Brannagan as the Oxford United ‘talisman’ prepares to make a milestone appearance.

The midfielder is in line to play his 200th game for the club when MK Dons visit the Kassam Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Brannagan joined the U’s from Liverpool in January 2018, two months before Robinson arrived, and all but two of his appearances in yellow and blue have come under the head coach.

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It is well-documented that the United boss coached the No 8 as a youngster at Anfield and he paid tribute to the 26-year-old.

“We have an incredible relationship,” Robinson said.

“He’s been one person that’s made me want to come to work every day, but he’s also the player that makes me not want to come to work because he’s a pain.

“We have a different relationship, maybe, because of the history that we have.

“I think the world of Cameron, he gives this football club the same every time he pulls on an Oxford United shirt and that’s something we’re immensely proud of.

“He chose this football club for his future as well.

“We’re very fortunate to have him. He’s been a talisman since I’ve been here, a pain in the backside at times as well, but he’s someone that I need – that’s the type of person that he is.

“Cameron’s someone I’ll stay in contact with for the rest of my life.”

Brannagan has long been a fans’ favourite at United, helping the club to successive play-off finishes in Sky Bet League One in 2019/20 and 2020/21.

The latter campaign was interrupted by a rare eye issue that left him fearing for his sight, but the midfielder bounced back in style.

Brannagan was named fans’ and players’ player of the year last season, while he is comfortably the club’s top-scorer this term with six goals – taking his overall U’s tally to 35.

His form has attracted interest from the Sky Bet Championship, with Blackpool attempting to buy the U’s star in the last three transfer windows.

Brannagan enhanced his standing among fans even further in July, when he appeared set to join the Seasiders only to sign a new three-year contract with United following a last-minute U-turn.

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He is the only U’s player to feature in every match so far this season, underling his importance to Robinson, scoring key goals against Swansea City and Cheltenham Town.

And the United head coach is proud to have witnessed Brannagan’s journey.

Robinson said: “When you’ve known someone since six years of age and you’re the first person to coach them, that gives you an instant relationship.

“Then you get them again 20 years on, knowing his Dad and how supportive he’s been, how amazing his Mum has been through his journey.

“I remember him first coming to the gym at Liverpool, as well.

“When you have those memories of somebody, that builds bonds for life.”