Shrewsbury kept McMahon-Brown's involvement secretpublished at 13:26 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesKian McMahon-Brown was player of the year in 2025-26 for Burnley's under-21 side after scoring 11 goals
Shrewsbury Town head coach Gavin Cowan says they had to keep Kian McMahon-Brown's inclusion in the squad for Saturday's League Two game at Grimsby Town a secret to try and surprise their hosts.
The 18-year-old started for Salop after being allowed back from international duty with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 squad.
McMahon-Brown, who is with Town on loan from Championship club Burnley, scored Shrewsbury's second goal in their 3-1 win against the Mariners as Cowan's side stretched their unbeaten run to four games.
He since has returned to the Ireland camp as they prepare for their next Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifier against England in Cork on Tuesday.
Cowan said a lot of work had been done trying to get the teenager to play at the weekend.
"His performance probably indicates the reason why I've been on the phone half the week and it's credit to the set-up at the Republic of Ireland," Cowan told BBC Radio Shropshire.
"Jim Crawford, the manager there, has been really accommodating.
"He will go back now until Thursday but it's great for him to send him and but one we had to keep under wraps.
"We just want to go into every game with every 1% and we just felt if we could keep that under wraps then you know wouldn't allow them to plan so much."
McMahon-Brown has yet to break into the Clarets first team and is taking his first steps in senior football with Shrewsbury.
Cowan said he still has lots of improving to do but has already shown he has a good level of maturity for someone so young.
"When you just see him at the end there to make the decision to go into the corner off his own back [and kill time] just shows the level of professionalism he has," he added.
"He's looking for an opportunity in senior football and it's up to him to take it.
"There's much more he could be doing better. I've definitely got plans to keep improving him and keep developing him. He's definitely not the finished article.
"But he was able to capitalise on that big moment - that's the quality he has."



































