'Respect' Bernard Parker as 'this guy loves Kaizer Chiefs', says coach Stuart Baxter

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says veteran forward Bernard Parker deserves respect from the Amakhosi faithful.

The 35-year-old was again instrumental in Chiefs' DStv Soweto Derby 2-1 victory against rivals Orland Pirates over the weekend.

Parker and Baxter have endured criticism from Chiefs fans at times, but Baxter said the forward deserved respect from fans as he loved the club after 11 seasons and 30 Soweto Derbies.

"Football is a game of opinions, and everybody shouldn't think the same way as Stuart Baxter and everybody shouldn't think the same way as Jurgen Klopp, and the guy at the pizza store down the corner has a right to his opinion as well," Baxter said.

"When we look at Bernard, I think even the most hardened Chiefs fans have to look at this guy and say, 'this guy loves Kaizer Chiefs, and he loves everything about the place, and he puts his body on the line'. For that reason, they should respect him.

"Bernard has no divine right to get appraised, but he is so well-liked by his teammates and respected by the opposition that I think it would be a shame if he is not appreciated. Sometimes not for the performance on the day but for the person that he is.

"If you cut him, he will bleed gold and black, so he is that sort of person. I don't tell the supporters what they should think. They don't need to think what I'm instructing them to think. They have their own minds, and that is the joy of football. Bernard has shown that he is a valuable member of the team and will continue so," said Baxter.

"The talk about him being too old, I think we should absolutely put that one away for a while because if he plays like that, he can get into any team in the PSL.

"Bernard thrives on stretching himself as a person, stretching